Turkey detains dozens in nationwide crackdown on LGBTQ groups
Turkish police raided LGBTQ organizations, bars, and activists' homes across Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Mersin, detaining at least 63 people. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the operations, dubbed 'My Family is Safe,' target groups to protect children and the family institution. The raids follow a decade of increasing hostility toward LGBTQ communities in Turkey.
The raids targeted multiple LGBTQ rights and HIV awareness organizations, with websites blocked days before police actions. Prosecutors in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir reported at least 63 detentions, while Kaos GL stated nearly 50 rights defenders were taken into custody or faced legal proceedings.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek linked the operation to President Erdogan's "Decade of Family and Population" executive order addressing Turkey's falling birthrate. The crackdown follows the AK Party's 2015 ban on Istanbul Pride, with subsequent gatherings violently dispersed. The European Parliament's rapporteur condemned the escalation, and the Turkish Human Rights Association characterized the operation as state-led discrimination.
This crackdown may significantly chill civil society organizing in Turkey, particularly for LGBTQ advocacy groups and HIV awareness efforts. Activists and their families could face heightened fear and self-censorship, while international scrutiny of Turkey's human rights record may intensify. The operation's framing around family protection could resonate with conservative segments of Turkish society, potentially deepening social divisions. European institutions may respond with stronger diplomatic pressure, though Turkey's government has shown resilience to such criticism in recent years.