Turkish authorities must end the escalating crackdown on LGBTI rights groups, immediately release detained activists, and stop the targeting and stigmatization of LGBTI people and their advocates, Amnesty International said as a nationwide crackdown enters its fourth day.
Since Sunday, police have arrested more than 60 people across 15 provinces following raids on LGBTI rights organizations. At least 23 people have been placed in pre-trial detention and criminal investigations have been launched against more than 160 people. More than 180 social media accounts belonging to LGBTI organizations and activists, journalists, media outlets and others have been blocked or restricted alongside a number of websites. Those affected include Amnesty International Türkiye’s X account.
This sweeping crackdown has nothing to do with protecting families and everything to do with further stigmatizing a community that has battled decades of discrimination
Esther Major, Amnesty International
“This appalling escalation in Türkiye’s crackdown amounts to a full-scale assault on LGBTI rights and those who defend them. The relentless raids, arrests and demonization of LGBTI people under the spurious guise of ‘protecting the families’ demonstrates why defending LGBTI rights in Türkiye is more important than ever,” said Esther Major, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Europe.
“This sweeping crackdown, in which scores of people have been arrested, has nothing to do with protecting families and everything to do with further harming and stigmatizing a community that has battled decades of discrimination and intimidation.”
As protest within Türkiye builds and international condemnation mounts, it is clear that the Turkish authorities have every intention of intensifying the crackdown. On Monday, the Ministry of Justice sent a circular to 175 chief public prosecutors in all of Türkiye’s 81 provinces, regarding content and activities deemed in their view contrary to “public morality” and harmful to families, children and young people.
On the same day, police reportedly used pepper spray against peaceful protesters in İzmir. Two protesters were detained and later released. Earlier today, police surrounded a group of peaceful protestors that had gathered outside the İstanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan before they were able to deliver their press statement. More than 95 people were reportedly detained.
Amnesty International is calling on authorities to allow further countrywide protests to take place without undue restriction.
It is time to stand together against the repression of LGBTI rights in Türkiye, to raise our voices and to make our solidarity visible
Esther Major, Amnesty International
“The sweeping crackdown is part of a wider ongoing attack on the rights of LGBTI people and those who advocate for LGBTI rights. Amnesty International urges Turkish authorities end this wave of repression, ensure the immediate release of all those detained solely for their human rights work and guarantee that LGBTI defenders and associations can exercise their rights without discrimination, criminalization, intimidation or reprisals,” said Esther Major.
“Everyone has the right to live free from discrimination, and we must take action to challenge this unjustifiable crackdown. On Friday, Amnesty International will join thousands taking to the streets of capital cities across the world to show our solidarity with LGBTI people in Türkiye. It is time to stand together against the repression of LGBTI rights in Türkiye, to raise our voices and to make our solidarity visible.”
Background
The raids on 12 September were carried out under the name “Ailem Güvende” (“My Family Is Safe”) and coordinated by the chief public prosecutor’s offices of Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir, Aydın and Mersin.
The circular issued by the Ministry of Justice instructs prosecutors to promptly assess complaints and reports, take immediate investigative steps, preserve digital evidence and, where necessary, seek the removal or blocking of online content. On Friday 18 September, Amnesty International will be joining international protests outside Turkish embassies in capital cities around the world, including Brussels, Paris, London, Oslo, Washington DC and many more.
Amnesty International Türkiye received an email from X on 14 September informing it that its X account (@aforgutu) had been blocked, following a decision communicated by the Cyber Security Presidency under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651. The account remains accessible outside of the country. Amnesty Türkiye has contacted X to request a copy of the decision but has yet to receive it, which means it cannot scrutinize the legal basis for the measure.
Amnesty Türkiye’s new X account: @amnestyTR.
On 13 September, Amnesty International was part of a joint statement by the Solidarity Network for Human Rights Defenders condemning the criminalization of LGBTI rights in Türkiye, and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained, as well as an end to the targeting and pressure against LGBTI people, organizations and human rights defenders.
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