YTB Brought Together 40 Jurists from 9 Countries in Amsterdam

The 13th Gathering of Jurists Abroad, organized by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), was held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with the participation of 40 jurists from 9 different European countries. During the program, legal issues, discrimination, and rights violations encountered by Turkish citizens living abroad were discussed alongside solution proposals aimed at strengthening legal support mechanisms.

​Organized between October 16 and 18, 2026, the gathering brought together lawyers and legal advisors from Germany, Austria, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Romania.

​Conducted in a workshop format, the program evaluated legal matters directly affecting the daily lives of citizens, such as discrimination in work and educational life, family law, custody, inheritance, tax, and property issues.

​Attending the session titled “Delivering Legal Services to Victims” organized on the final day of the program, YTB President Abdulhadi Turus exchanged views at the table with the jurists.

​Drawing attention to the importance of efforts aimed at removing obstacles that prevent citizens from exercising their legal rights, Turus used the following expressions:

​“Accessing remedies for rights is as important as seeking rights. Our citizens living abroad can sometimes be exposed to discrimination, or face legal issues concerning family life, employment, or property. In such situations, accessing accurate legal support in a timely manner is of great importance. As YTB, we want our citizens to know their rights, to be able to use effective remedies against violations they encounter, and to access accurate legal support whenever needed.”

​Based on the field experience of jurists practicing in different countries, the gathering focused on cooperation models that will facilitate citizens’ access to legal support.

​Particularly, issues such as pro bono legal counseling, raising awareness among citizens regarding existing legal remedies, enhancing professional solidarity among jurists, and developing online application mechanisms were discussed.

​Referring to the work YTB conducts in the fields of law and human rights, Turus stated that the Presidency carries out various programs to report attacks and rights violations, train specialized human resources in law, and support citizens’ rights-seeking processes.

​Emphasizing that the field experience of jurists will guide future activities, Turus noted the following:

​“The knowledge, experience, and professional background possessed by our jurists practicing in different European countries offer a significant opportunity for resolving the problems faced by our citizens. We want to transform this accumulation of expertise into a stronger collaboration. We will transform the ideas and experiences emerging from these gatherings into concrete solutions that touch the lives of our citizens.”

​The three-day program concluded with the presentation of certificates to the participants.