Türkiye: Authorities must end escalating crackdown on LGBTI rights groups and immediately release detained activists
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 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.