UN Commission Raises Alarm Over Mass Detention Of 150 LGBTIQ+ Persons In Turkey | Sahara Reporters
The latest arrests followed a nationwide operation launched by Turkish authorities under the name “My Family is Safe,” which has targeted LGBTIQ+ organisations, activists and businesses in several provinces.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has raised concerns over the detention of more than 150 LGBTIQ+ people and human rights defenders in Türkiye amid a widening government crackdown on LGBTIQ+ organisations and activists.
Türk, in a statement on Thursday, said he was concerned by reports that more than 150 people had been arrested and detained, as well as allegations that some detainees were subjected to ill-treatment in custody.
He also warned that the arrests could further restrict civic space in the country and urged Turkish authorities to respect the human rights of all people without discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The latest arrests followed a nationwide operation launched by Turkish authorities under the name “My Family is Safe,” which has targeted LGBTIQ+ organisations, activists and businesses in several provinces.
Justice Minister Akin Gürlek said the investigations involved 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses across 15 provinces, with prosecutors examining allegations including prostitution, obscenity and the exposure of children to obscene material.
Turkish authorities detained dozens of people during raids in Istanbul and Ankara over the weekend, while a court in Izmir ordered 16 suspects to be held pending trial on Monday. Authorities have also blocked access to websites and social media accounts belonging to several LGBTIQ+ organisations, individuals and independent media outlets, including the X account of Amnesty International’s Turkey branch, Reuters reported.
On Tuesday, police detained at least 126 people during protests in Istanbul and Ankara against the arrests, according to Reuters. The demonstrations included a gathering outside Istanbul’s Caglayan Courthouse, where protesters had assembled to oppose the crackdown and demand the release of those detained.
Türk called on the Turkish authorities to immediately release people who had been arbitrarily detained and to ensure that everyone in custody is treated in accordance with human rights standards. He also urged the authorities to protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ people and human rights defenders and to prevent restrictions on civic participation.
The crackdown has also led to the detention of members of Kaos GL, one of Türkiye’s prominent LGBTIQ+ rights organisations. Reuters reported on Wednesday that eight members of the group had been jailed pending trial, while seven others, including a journalist, were released under judicial supervision. Prosecutors accused those jailed of facilitating the publication of obscene material, citing their roles in the organisation and their social media activities.
The Turkish government has defended the operation as part of efforts to protect children, families and public order. Gürlek said authorities relied on undercover investigations, surveillance, witness statements, digital examinations and video recordings during the operations, while prosecutors said the investigations were focused on alleged criminal activities rather than LGBTIQ+ identity itself.
The arrests have drawn criticism from international human rights officials and organisations. Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty said references to family values or the protection of children could not, by themselves, justify restrictions on human rights, and called for the release of people detained because of their human rights or civil society work.
The developments come amid increasing restrictions on LGBTIQ+ activities in Türkiye, where authorities have previously banned Pride events and imposed restrictions on public demonstrations. The latest operation has therefore raised wider concerns among rights groups and international officials over freedom of association, peaceful assembly and the space available for civil society organisations to operate.
The investigations and court proceedings are ongoing, with Turkish authorities indicating that further legal action could follow as prosecutors continue examining the allegations against the suspects and organisations targeted in the operation.