HSK Warning to Judiciary Members on Social Media and Visit Shares

Turan Kuloğlu, Head of the 1st Department of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK), authored a warning letter covering judiciary members' social media use, professional dignity, impartiality, confidentiality, and proportionality in visit shares.

In the letter titled "Professional Responsibility, Institutional Representation, and Social Trust of Judiciary Members," published on November 11, 2026, and signed by HSK 1st Department Head Turan Kuloğlu, attention was drawn to the importance of the public behavior of judges and prosecutors in order to protect trust in the judiciary.

Emphasizing that not every visit should be shared on social media, the letter stated that such images could create a false perception that work hours are spent on these activities and might overshadow the effort dedicated to justice services. It was requested that the quality of justice services and the public interest be prioritized rather than personal visibility in shares.

It was reminded that comments regarding lawsuits and investigations, statements carrying the nature of prejudgment (ihsas-i rey), and content giving the impression of political partisanship should be avoided. It was noted that statements claiming to express personal opinions do not eliminate professional and ethical responsibility, and that chief public prosecutors and commission presidents should take the lead in maintaining this sensitivity.