Long shrouded in legal obscurity ─ like a royal enigma few dare to question ─ lèse-majesté laws finally receive the encyclopaedic treatment they deserve. With a compelling legal and historical analysis of Turkey’s case, this eloquent book traces their evolution from Ancient Rome to modernity ─ a gem for constitutional and criminal scholars.” – Dr Uladzislau Belavusau (T.M.C. Asser Institute, University of Amsterdam)

Huddersfield Law School and the Centre for Law, Environment and Rights (CLEAR) are delighted to invite you to the launch of Dr Aytekin Kaan Kurtul’s monograph, Criminalising Dissent: Lèse-majesté and the Path to Autocracy.

Dr Kurtul’s incisive contribution comes at a time of crisis for liberal political systems across Europe and North America, which has paved the way for the abuse of political offences as part of a broader trend of autocratisation. In this context, Criminalising Dissent offers a compelling analysis of how contemporary lèse-majesté laws shield monarchs and presidents alike from public scrutiny, with Turkey emerging as a paradigmatic case of their weaponisation.

The event will take place at 4pm on 30th June 2025 at the University of Huddersfield’s Queensgate campus, on the top floor of the Oastler Building.

Confirmed speakers

· Dr Aytekin Kaan Kurtul, Lecturer in Law (University of Huddersfield)

· Professor Laurent Pech, Full Professor of Law, Dean of Law and Head of the Sutherland School of Law (University College Dublin)

· Dr Marc Shucksmith, Senior Lecturer in Law (University of Huddersfield)

Book Launch Event