Global Freedom of Expression

Buse Karataş

Buse Karataş is a human rights lawyer and legal researcher. Her professional journey in human rights unfolded while working for the Freedom of Expression Association (“İFÖD”) in Turkey where she specialized in matters related to freedom of expression, media and Internet freedoms, and academic freedoms. Throughout her tenure, she represented various groups including independent media organizations, journalists, women journalists, academics, civil society organizations, human rights defenders in legal proceedings before the courts. Notably, her responsibilities encompassed litigating freedom of expression cases at both the Turkish Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Furthermore, she actively engaged in the conduct of legal research and the submission of third-party interventions to pending ECtHR cases, as well as Rule 9.2 submissions to the Committee of Ministers concerning the implementation of ECtHR decisions.

She also holds a master’s degree in Public International Law with a specialization in human rights at Utrecht University in 2023. Her master’s thesis delved into the analysis of the compatibility of Meta’s Oversight Board as a grievance mechanism with the effectiveness criteria outlined in the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGP). Her areas of particular interest encompass freedom of expression, media and Internet freedoms, civic freedoms, ECHR law, and the business and human rights. Additionally, she represented Utrecht University’s team in the 11th edition of the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition organised by ELSA, a partner of the Council of Europe, as the captain of the university team.