Turkish Bar Association

Metin Feyzioğlu has been appointed as Türkiye's new ambassador to Prague, diplomatic sources confirmed on July 27.

Feyzioğlu, who was previously serving as ambassador to the northern part of Nicosia, the capital of the divided island of Cyprus, will be replaced by Deputy Foreign Minister Yasin Ekrem Serim.

The Turkish Parliament is set to re-convene on June 2 after nearly a 45-day break with a busy agenda, as the country has lifted many of the restrictions imposed in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The state of emergency and the decree numbered 696 must be removed immediately as they go against the Turkish Constitution, Turkish Bar Association head Metin Feyzioğlu said on Dec. 27 following an emergency meeting held in Ankara.

An Istanbul court sentenced Abdullah Çakıroğlu on Sept. 7 to three years and 10 months in prison for kicking a young woman for wearing "inappropriate clothes" on a public bus.

The Istanbul 40th Court of First Instance said in its ruling the sentence was given on charges of "prohibiting the freedom of belief and opinion," "deliberate injury" and "insult."

Turkish society is divided right down the middle as the country heads to a referendum on April 16 to decide on whether to replace the current parliamentary system with one with an executive presidency. According to the latest polls, half of the voters are on the "yes" front, while the other half is firmly "no," with tensions between the two camps rising every day. 

What's left in Turkey to make Turks with a democratic mindset believe that growing authoritarianism in the country is a seasonal phenomenon and that tomorrow will be a bright day for Turkish democracy? Unfortunately, not much.

Turkey has officially put into effect a new regulation against human trafficking, as part of measures to try to stem the flow of refugees heading to Europe through illegal means.

Turkish journalism is passing through a very difficult period, but I don't really recall when it wasn't in a difficult situation. However, the current period is particularly difficult. The atmosphere of fear, intimidation and abeyance to the absolute authority has reached such a dimension that journalists, unfortunately, might steer clear of discussions where problems are discussed.

A lawyer from the Central Anatolian province of Afyon, Umut K?l?ç, took the judges? exam and was jailed. 

K?l?ç received 85 points on the written exam, which is the first phase of the qualification, but he was not able to pass the interview. This was his second try on the oral exam. 

President-elect Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan is handing over the chairmanship of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) to Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu today (Aug. 27), at an extraordinary congress taking place in Ankara. The next step will be to take over the presidency from Abdullah Gül on Aug.