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Turkish authorities must end the escalating crackdown on LGBTI rights groups, immediately release detained activists, and\u202fstop the targeting and stigmatization of LGBTI people and their advocates, Amnesty International said as a nationwide crackdown enters its fourth day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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 T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s X account.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nThis sweeping crackdown has nothing to do with protecting families and everything to do with further stigmatizing a community that has battled decades of discrimination\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
Esther Major, Amnesty International<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cThis appalling escalation in T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s 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 \u2018protecting the families\u2019 demonstrates why defending LGBTI rights in T\u00fcrkiye is more important than ever,\u201d said Esther Major, Amnesty International\u2019s Deputy Regional Director for Europe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
As protest within T\u00fcrkiye 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 T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s 81 provinces, regarding content and activities deemed in their view contrary to \u201cpublic morality\u201d and harmful to families, children and young people. \u00a0<\/p>\n
On the same day, police reportedly used pepper spray against peaceful protesters in \u0130zmir. Two protesters were detained and later released. Earlier today, police surrounded a group of peaceful protestors that had gathered outside the \u0130stanbul Courthouse in \u00c7a\u011flayan before they were able to deliver their press statement. More than 95 people were reportedly detained. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Amnesty International is calling on authorities to allow further countrywide protests to take place without undue restriction. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\nIt is time to stand together against the repression of LGBTI rights in T\u00fcrkiye, to raise our voices and to make our solidarity visible<\/p>\n
Esther Major, Amnesty International<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d said Esther Major.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone 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 T\u00fcrkiye. It is time to stand together against the repression of LGBTI rights in T\u00fcrkiye, to raise our voices and to make our solidarity visible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Background<\/strong><\/p>\n
The raids on 12 September were carried out under the name \u201cAilem G\u00fcvende\u201d (\u201cMy Family Is Safe\u201d) and coordinated by the chief public prosecutor\u2019s offices of Ankara, \u0130stanbul, \u0130zmir, Ayd\u0131n and Mersin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amnesty International T\u00fcrkiye 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. \u00a0Amnesty T\u00fcrkiye 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amnesty T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s new X account:\u00a0@amnestyTR<\/u><\/em><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n