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 cont
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