An international symposium on “the Future of Constitutional Justice in the 21^st Century” was held within the scope of the ceremony organised on the occasion of the 63^rd anniversary of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye.

The symposium, which was held on 25-26 April 2025, brought together many representatives from 35 countries and 7 international organisations and institutions, as well as presidents and members of Turkish higher judicial bodies, high-level jurists and academics.

“The symposium will reinforce our common vision for the advancement of constitutional justice.”

Delivering his speech at the special session held on the first day of the symposium, President of the Turkish Constitutional Court Mr. Kadir Özkaya emphasised that the Constitutional Court attaches great importance to international cooperation based on the universal principles of constitutional justice. In this regard, President Özkaya noted that the Court plays an active role in platforms such as the Conference of European Constitutional Courts (CECC) and the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions (AACC), as well as in the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of the Turkic World (TÜRK-AY) and the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of the Islamic World (CCJ-I), of which it is a founding member. President Özkaya stated that the symposium will bring new perspectives to international law, particularly constitutional law, and provide an opportunity to evaluate the relationship between technology and law, from different aspects. Expressing his belief that the symposium will reinforce the common vision for the advancement of constitutional justice, President Özkaya wished a successful and fruitful symposium, wishing that it would be instrumental in fostering stronger ties between judicial institutions.

During the special session chaired by President Özkaya, heads of the guest delegations also delivered speeches, expressing their sincere belief that the symposium will be highly beneficial for international legal and judicial systems. They extended their gratitude to the Turkish Constitutional Court for the invitation and congratulated the Court on its 63^rd anniversary.

The opening session commenced with the remarks of high-level jurists

In the opening session of the symposium, the President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights Ms. Imani Daud Aboud, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand and Term-President of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions Prof. Dr. Nakharin Mektrairat, the President of the Constitutional Court of Albania and Term-President of the Conference of European Constitutional Courts Ms. Holta Zaçaj, and the Judge of the European Court of Human Rights elected in respect of Türkiye Prof. Dr. Saadet Yüksel, delivered speeches.

Opportunities and potential risks of digitalisation in constitutional justice were discussed

On the second day of the symposium, academic sessions were held. The first session featured presentations under the theme “Constitutional Justice in the Digital Age”. Prof. Dr. Çetin Elmas from Gazi University, Prof. Dr. Murat Önder from Boğaziçi University, Prof. Dr. Abdurrahman Eren from Istanbul University, and Prof. Dr. Mesut Serdar Çekin from Turkish-German University, contributed, with their presentations, to the first session, which was moderated by the Rector of Istanbul University Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal. The session offered a rich platform for multifaceted discussions on how constitutional justice will be shaped by technological developments, globalisation, individual rights, and democratic values, and it addressed both the opportunities provided and the potential risks posed by the digitalization in constitutional justice.

The second session focused on “New Challenges and Opportunities in Constitutional Justice”. Judge of the European Court of Human Rights elected in respect of Luxembourg Mr. Stéphane Pisani, Judge at the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals Prof. Dr. Yusuf Aksar, Former President of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Egils Levits, and Chief Justice of Supreme Constitutional Court of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mr. Boulos Fahmy Iskandar delivered presentations during the second session moderated by Prof. Dr. Mahmut Koca, Faculty Member at Istanbul Medipol University. The session discussed the future of constitutional justice and the adaptation of fundamental principles of law to the changing world, as well as the question how the struggle for human rights should be addressed within a constitutional framework.

Accompanied by Q&A following each session, the symposium was concluded with the closing address of Vice-President of the Turkish Constitutional Court Mr. Basri Bağcı. In his remarks, Vice-President Bağcı, stating that the digital age brings about various forms of change and development in all fields, dwelled on the effects of digitalization in the field of law. Recalling that innovations have both negative and positive aspects, Mr. Bağcı indicated that “Performing their duties and powers, all courts should ensure strong protection against the negative aspects of digitalization, while supporting innovations having positive impacts.”

Memoranda of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation were signed between the Turkish Constitutional Court and the higher judicial bodies of three countries

As part of the 63^rd anniversary celebrations, the Turkish Constitution Court signed memoranda of understanding on bilateral cooperation with the Federal Supreme Court of the Republic of Iraq, the Supreme Constitutional Court of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Constitutional Court of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. President Özkaya expressed his wish that the agreements would be beneficial to all parties involved, to the respective countries, and to the entire legal community.

In addition, President of the Turkish Constitutional Court Mr. Kadir Özkaya held bilateral meetings with the presidents of guest delegations. During the symposium, a documentary film showcasing the 63-year history and the current institutional profile of the Turkish Constitutional Court was also presented, and thereby, the participants were provided with comprehensive information about the structure, duties, powers, and activities of the Court.