HRW Warns Turkish Raids on LGBT Groups Threaten Rule of Law
Coordinated police actions in Turkey have led to over 100 detentions and website blocks, prompting calls for immediate releases.
Key points
- Human Rights Watch reports that over 100 people were detained during police raids on LGBT and HIV support organizations in Turkey.
- Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed legal proceedings against 162 suspects and nine associations as part of a nationwide operation.
- Courts have ordered the pretrial detention of key activists and blocked dozens of websites and social media accounts related to rights groups.
Human Rights Watch has stated that recent coordinated police actions in Turkey targeting LGBT rights organizations and activists pose a serious threat to the country's rule of law. The New York-based organization urged authorities to release individuals who were detained without what it described as credible evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
According to the report, these operations are part of a broader effort to criminalize LGBT people, silence organizations defending their rights, and restrict freedom of expression and association. Benjamin Ward, the deputy Europe and Central Asia director at HRW, characterized the crackdown as a blatant attempt to marginalize the community and silence its advocates.
Coordinated raids across major cities
Between September 12 and 14, police conducted raids on seven LGBT rights organizations, two groups supporting people living with HIV, and various bars and nightclubs in Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Aydın, and Mersin. At least 112 people were detained during these operations, with courts subsequently ordering 82 individuals held in pretrial detention.
Among those detained were approximately 24 activists, founders, or executives of the targeted organizations, along with one journalist. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated that legal proceedings had been initiated against 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses across 15 provinces as part of an operation named "My Family Is Safe."
Allegations and funding scrutiny
Prosecutors in multiple cities have cited allegations including facilitating prostitution, producing obscene material, and exposing children to such content. Authorities have also investigated drug-related offenses and potential violations of Turkey’s law on associations. Financial authorities are reportedly examining foreign funding received by some associations to determine if it is connected to the investigated activities.
Human Rights Watch noted that receiving funding from foreign governments or private foundations is legal in Turkey provided associations notify authorities. The organization stated it was not aware of evidence suggesting the targeted groups failed to comply with these notification requirements.
Detention of key figures
In Ankara, police detained 14 members of the executive and supervisory boards of Kaos GL, one of Turkey’s most prominent LGBT rights organizations. A court ordered seven of them held in pretrial detention on charges of violating association laws and committing obscenity offenses, while the others were released under judicial supervision.
Lawyers for the organization reported that detainees were questioned about foreign funding, social media content, and internal operations. HRW added that evidence cited in the investigation included social media posts containing photographs of two men kissing. Additionally, journalist Tuğba Tekerek was ordered held in pretrial detention over a 2024 article she wrote for the Kaos GL news website.
