Murat Arslan’s statement regarding the march of 1000 gowns on January 11 in Warsaw.
Murat Arslan, The Václav Havel Human Rights Prize 2017 Laureate send greetings to Polish friends and support Polish jurists in their struggle for democracy and rule of law. He calls everyone to attend Saturday’s silent march. The statement is below.
“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” E.W.
Our mission is simple: “justice for all”. As jurists, our duty is to ensure that an independent and impartial judicial system functions, which has become one of the most challenging duties in our times.
It has become the most common habit of ambitious political figures of governments around the world to intervene in the judiciary. Any government with authoritarian tendency, first and foremost, targets independent judiciary due to the fact that it is the only obstacle in front of it to aim the actual target which is the People
Protection of a legal order which ensures fundamental rights and freedoms sometimes requires raising your voices against violations that threaten the rule of law. As it is said before “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” E.W.
Throughout the ongoing tragedy of humanity and law in Turkey, our Polish colleagues, like many others, have always been with us, supporting our cause sharing our suffering. Now I must regret to see that a similar process is being underway for the Polish judiciary as well.
Independent judiciary is one of the most basic needs in a country, lack of which results; political imprisonments, torture, forced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, mass exodus, violence against children, women, environmental distraction, widespread corruption, punishing free speech, silencing media, stifling opposition… The list goes on and on.
İndependent and impartial judiciary is like the lock that keeps pandora’s box close and safe. Any attempt to break it will bring suffering to everyone including culprits.
At this juncture, the silence to be displayed in Warsaw cries out against the intervention of the judiciary that spread many countries of the world like an illness. Every individual who comes there will represent millions who struggle like them for the same purpose in different locations.
There is no doubt in my mind that justice sooner or later will prevail. What I am worried about is the human costs of the process. Because it is always the most vulnerable that suffers the most. Women, children, minorities, the poor, the young, the elderly, the environment, etc.
Guardians of the rule of law and justice must be supported by any means necessary. I would march with you if I could. Due to my imprisonment, it is impossible for now. However, I strongly urge anyone who upholds the same principles as me to go there and be a part of this struggle for humanity and justice.
Let me remind you one more time “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” M.L.K.