Joint Statement – International Fair Trial Day – 14 June 2021

Today, 14 June 2021, marks the inaugural International Fair Trial Day (IFTD) which will be
observed for the first time worldwide. The focus country of the IFTD this year is Turkey, a country
that is and has been suffering for many years, 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. The
undersigned organisations also call upon the international community to increase their efforts to
draw attention to the situation in Turkey with a particular focus on the issues around the fair trial
principles.