Turkish lawyers protest as parliament debates bar association bill

As Turkey’s parliament debates a controversial proposal to weaken the influence of established bar associations, lawyers are protesting in the nation’s major cities.
Lawyers, members of Ankara's Bar Association, clap as they protest against a bill examined by parliament upon the initiative of the ruling party AKP in order to change the system of bar associations that opponents say will dent lawyers' independence and influence on July 7, 2020. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Lawyers, members of the Ankara Bar Association, clap as they protest a bill being examined by parliament upon the initiative of the ruling party that would change the system of bar associations and, opponents say, will dent lawyers' independence and influence on July 7, 2020. - ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images
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Diego Cupolo
@diegocupolo

ISTANBUL — Vowing to increase pressure on Ankara lawmakers, Turkish lawyers continued protests in the nation’s major cities Thursday against a controversial bill that would amend laws governing bar associations.

Leading lawyers organized rallies in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir to denounce measures they say would weaken the influence of Turkish bar associations, the majority of which have long criticized the government’s human rights record and failures to uphold the rule of law.

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