On 6-7 May, in Antalya 23 judges and prosecutors from the Court of Cassation and Constitutional Court attended an international workshop focusing on the protection of freedom of expression within the context of counter terrorism. The event was organized under the European Union/Council of Europe Joint Project “Strengthening the Capacity of Turkish Judiciary on Freedom of Expression”, as a forum of international and comparative judicial experience and practice in protecting freedom of expression while preventing and countering terrorism. Participants had an opportunity to elaborate on the relevant ECtHR cases, comparing with other international human rights instruments, including discussion on Spanish and United Kingdom cases, raising debates on the limitation of freedom of expression on the grounds of national security.

Many participants stated that the workshop contributed a lot to enhance judicial dialogue not only between Turkish high courts and the ECtHR and but also among Turkish high courts themselves.