The İstanbul Bar Association has refused to allow intern lawyers and lawyers who chose to wear the headscarf to attend programs, conferences and courses at the association, some of which are obligatory for interns.
A controversial notice posted on the walls of the Intern Education Center at the İstanbul Bar Association, which clearly stated the use of headscarves is banned at the institution, was removed after it elicited a huge public reaction for its discriminatory practice. A new notice that has been hung on the walls of the classrooms at the education center falls short of eliminating the association's headscarf ban. The new notice tells intern lawyers to abide by professional principles, just as they would during a trial.
The wearing of headscarves is banned in public buildings in Turkey. Until 2010, students who wear the headscarf were not allowed to enter university, but a decision made by the Higher Education Board (YÖK) removed the controversial ban.
Judicial associations continue to raise their concerns over the attitude of the İstanbul Bar Association regarding the use of headscarves. Fifteen judicial institutions have agreed to make a press statement in front of the İstanbul Bar Association on Dec. 27 in protest of the association's headscarf ban. Some of the lawyers have also decided to march from Taksim Square to the bar association that day before the press statement.
