We Must Stand Up to These Attacks
IGLYO has been in touch with its Members in Turkey. We are closely monitoring the ongoing deteriorating situation for LGBTQI+ activists and communities on the ground in the country.
It is clear that there is an ongoing movement within elements of the Turkish Government to disrupt and attack the work and lives of LGBTQI activists and citizens. This is a dark time for LGBTQI people globally and we must stand up to these attacks while we still can.
Changes to the Turkish Penal Code and Civil Code
Member Organisations of the IGLYO network have expressed their deep concerns with recently leaked draft amendments to the Turkish Penal Code and Civil Code which would introduce a number of regressive and anti-LGBTQI measures including:
- Potential criminalisation of LGBTQI identity and activism with up to three years in prison for individuals deemed to "contradict biological sex and public morality."
- Severe restrictions on the rights of trans people, including the reintroduction of forced sterilisation and bureaucratic obstacles that make legal and medical transition nearly impossible.
- Punitive measures against gender-affirming care, threatening medical professionals with harsh penalties and blocking access to transition-related healthcare.
These actions targeting the rights of LGBTQI people, particularly trans people, show a dangerous situation developing for our communities in Turkey. IGLYO calls for assurances from the Turkish Government that these changes will not be implemented, and that they will continue to protect LGBTQI people from discrimination. We also call on the opposition to stand with the LGBTQI community against this oppression.
Arrest of Journalist Yıldız Tar
On 18 February, Yıldız Tar, a journalist and Editor-in-Chief at our IGLYO Member Organisation Kaos GL, was arbitrarily detained as part of this broader crackdown on LGBTQI rights in the country.
IGLYO is deeply disturbed by the detainment of an LGBTQI activist and journalist with little information provided by the authorities as to what grounds are being used for this detainment. IGLYO calls for the immediate release of Yıldız Tar and a full explanation from the Turkish authorities.
The detainment of Yıldız Tar sets a bleak precedent for the protection of human rights in Turkey, and we urge the Turkish authorities to reverse this decision. Like any person, Yıldız Tar deserves the right to speak without fear of state reprisals and detainment.
We are also hearing reports that other activists have been arrested more recently, showing that this is a tactic of the administration, and is likely to continue into the future.
Show support
We call on all allies to make their voices heard, to share these developments with their communities, and to call on their national governments and European-level politicians to unequivocally denounce these actions by the Turkish state. We encourage you to show support in particular to IGLYO Member Organisations on the ground.
Inaction has never been more costly.
This statement was endorsed by IGLYO Member UniKuir Association, our partners the European Youth Forum, and their Member GoFor — National Youth Council of Turkey.
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