- Turkish authorities cracked down on multiple LGBTQ+ groups and individuals on Sunday, detaining dozens of members, breaking into association offices and raiding popular hangouts. The organizations’ websites were also blocked.
- Justice Minister Akin Gurlek stated that the crackdown aimed to protect children, the institution of the family, and public order. He said the operation, dubbed ‘My Family is Safe’, targeted 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses.
- Police detained dozens at an Istanbul courthouse protest where demonstrators carried banners reading: ‘Being LGBT+ and organizing is not a crime’ and chanted slogans in support of LGBTQ+ rights before police intervened.
- This summer, an LGBTQ+ cruise ship that tours the Mediterranean and has docked in Turkey multiple times in the past was refused permission to dock there.
- On Tuesday, Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concerns over the raids and detentions, stating that ‘mere references to family values or protection of children cannot serve as legal justification for human rights restrictions’. He called on Turkish authorities to release anyone detained for engaging in human rights or civil society work.
Police detained dozens of demonstrators outside the Caglayan courthouse in Istanbul on Tuesday, protesting the detention of LGBTQ+ activists during a recent crackdown. The operation, named 'My Family is Safe', was announced by Justice Minister Akin Gurlek, who stated it targeted 162 suspects, including nine associations and 13 businesses.34
The crackdown, which occurred on Sunday, involved raids on multiple LGBTQ+ groups, breaking into association offices, and blocking their websites. Gurlek justified the operation by claiming it aimed to “protect children, the institution of the family, and public order.” However, this has drawn criticism from human rights advocates.
Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern over the detentions, stating that “mere references to ‘family values’ or ‘protection of children’ cannot serve as legal justification for human rights restrictions.” He called for the release of those detained for engaging in human rights work.78
Protesters outside the courthouse carried banners reading: “Being LGBT+ and organizing is not a crime” and voiced their support for LGBTQ+ rights. One protester, Banu Aslan, remarked, “We are going through a period where there is an attempt by the ruling power to portray LGBT+ people as the cause of every problem in this society.” The Turkish government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has increasingly targeted LGBTQ+ groups, reflecting a shift towards more conservative policies since banning Istanbul Pride in 2015.
This summer, an LGBTQ+ cruise ship was denied permission to dock in Turkey, further illustrating the government's stance against LGBTQ+ rights.
“Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the crackdown aimed to 'protect children, the institution of the family, and public order.' Council of Europe Commissioner Michael O'Flaherty called the raids unjustified, urging release of those detained for human rights work.”
