Turkey Arrests 41 and Moves to Jail 20 More as LGBT+ Crackdown Widens

Turkish authorities have launched a sweeping crackdown on LGBT+ rights organizations, arresting dozens of activists, journalists, and community leaders across multiple cities, according to rights groups and Turkish media.

In Ankara, eight people were formally arrested as part of an operation targeting LGBT+ groups and rights defenders, bringing the total number of jailed individuals to 41 when combined with arrests in Mersin [242769]. Among those jailed is journalist Tuğba Tekerek, who was detained over a news report she had written [242769].

Separately, authorities have moved to arrest 20 people as part of an investigation in Ankara known as "My Family Is Safe," according to Turkish media [242776]. Those facing arrest requests include board members of Kaos GL, a prominent LGBT+ rights group in Turkey, as well as journalist Tuğba Tekerek and five transgender women [242776]. The 20 individuals were sent to a court with a request for their arrest, meaning a judge will decide whether to hold them in custody [242776]. Authorities have not publicly detailed the specific charges [242776].

The operations have triggered strong reactions from international bodies, including the Council of Europe, Amnesty International, the European Union, and global LGBT+ networks [242775]. Rights groups condemned the moves, stating: "Human rights work is not a crime" [242775].

The Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities criticized the operations targeting LGBT+ organizations and activists [242778]. Helen Belcher, the Congress's rapporteur on LGBT rights, said: "Being LGBT+ cannot be a reason to be automatically suspected or targeted" [242778].

Turkish rights organizations and the European Union have also condemned the wave of raids and arrests, with criticism from Brussels adding tension to Turkey's already strained relationship with the EU [242737].

Turkish police have detained and arrested LGBT+ rights defenders, activists, and journalists, according to a joint statement released by the Pembe Hayat LGBT+ Solidarity Association and Pembe Hayat KuirFest [242756]. The two organizations condemned the operations as a political attempt to intimidate the LGBT+ community [242756].

The crackdown has extended beyond LGBT+ groups. Turkish authorities have blocked access to multiple social media accounts, including those of journalists İrfan Değirmenci and Şirin Payzın, as well as soL Haber, the Women's Coalition, and the Turkish Women's Associations Federation [242752]. The blocks are part of a list of 419 social media accounts targeted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office [242752]. The move marks an expansion of restrictions that began with LGBTİ+ accounts and has now extended to journalists and women's organizations [242752].

Turkey's Justice Ministry has also ordered prosecutors across the country to investigate individuals and groups accused of promoting "genderlessness," according to a directive signed by Justice Minister Akın Gürlek and sent to chief public prosecutors' offices in every province [241530]. The directive instructs prosecutors to open investigations into those who encourage "genderlessness," and if an organized structure is involved, the order also calls for a financial review of the group [241530].

Kaos GL Editor-in-Chief Yıldız Tar responded to accusations that LGBT+ associations receive improper funding, rejecting the claims and pointing out that public institutions, government ministries, and foundations close to the ruling party are the main recipients of state funds [241535]. "Does that make us the criminals?" Tar asked [241535].

A Swiss LGBT organization has also criticized Turkey's "Family is Safe" operations, calling them an attack on human rights and democratic civil society [242751]. The Secretary General of BastA!, based in the canton of Basel, said the operations treat LGBT existence itself as a crime [242751].