The inaugural International Fair Trial Day (IFTD) is being observed for the first time worldwide today (14 June), with a particular focus on Turkey.

The initiative is being organised by a number of international bar associations and human rights groups, and is being supported by the Law Society of Ireland.

The organisers say that Turkey has been suffering from “systemic human rights violations and a serious lack of fair trial standards”.

“On the occasion of the IFTD, drawing attention to the deteriorating situation in the country, the undersigned organisations call upon the Turkish authorities to take the necessary steps urgently to instate the right to a fair trial in Turkey and to create an environment under which these fundamental procedural rights can effectively be protected,” they say in a statement.

Hunger strike

In a protest at the situation in their country, Turkish lawyers Ebru Timtik (pictured) and Aytaç Ünsal began a hunger strike in January 2020.

Ebru Timtik lost her life on 27 August 2020, while Aytaç Ünsal ended his protest on 4 September 2020, after a temporary release order by the Supreme Court that was later withdrawn. He was returned to prison on 10 December 2020.

IFTD organisers say that other countries will be chosen in future years to reflect the challenges to the right to fair trial being experienced in those jurisdictions.