Turkey's rights groups, EU call out LGBTQ+ crackdown
Turkish authorities have arrested 162 people in nationwide raids targeting gay bars, LGBTQ+ organizations, and HIV support groups across 15 provinces. The operation, which began September 12, has led to at least 82 people being jailed pending trial and the detention of at least 150 protesters. Human rights envoys from France, Sweden, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Iceland have denounced the measures as deeply troubling. Press freedom organizations are now calling for the release of journalists detained during the sweep, including Tuğba Tekerek.
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- ✓ Turkish authorities arrested 162 people in raids targeting LGBTQ+ and HIV support groups.
- ✓ The crackdown began on September 12 and spanned 15 provinces.
- ✓ At least 82 people have been jailed pending trial.
- ✓ Police detained at least 150 people at a protest regarding the arrests.
What changed
European envoys from six countries and press freedom groups have formally joined the backlash against the raids.
Live updates
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EU Envoys and Rights Groups Condemn Turkey's LGBTQ+ Crackdown
Turkish authorities have arrested 162 people in nationwide raids targeting gay bars, LGBTQ+ organizations, and HIV support groups across 15 provinces. The operation, which began September 12, has led to at least 82 people being jailed pending trial and the detention of at least 150 protesters. Human rights envoys from France, Sweden, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Iceland have denounced the measures as deeply troubling. Press freedom organizations are now calling for the release of journalists detained during the sweep, including Tuğba Tekerek.
Why it matters
The Turkish government justified the raids as a means of protecting family values. This escalation targets not only the queer community but also civil society and media organizations. The crackdown represents a tightening of state control over LGBTQ+ visibility and support networks.
What is confirmed
- Turkish authorities arrested 162 people in raids targeting LGBTQ+ and HIV support groups.
- The crackdown began on September 12 and spanned 15 provinces.
- At least 82 people have been jailed pending trial.
- Police detained at least 150 people at a protest regarding the arrests.
- Envoys from France, Sweden, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Iceland urged Turkey to respect civil liberties.
Still unconfirmed
- Journalist Tuğba Tekerek was detained on September 13 and transferred to Ankara over a 2024 article about the LGBTI+ community.
What to watch next
- Legal outcomes for the 82 individuals jailed pending trial
- Further responses from the European Union regarding civil liberty violations
- Additional arrests of journalists reporting on the raids
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (11)
- dw.com — Turkey: 162 arrested in LGBTQ+ raids
- PBS — Turkish authorities launch crackdown on LGBTQ+ and HIV support groups
- CNN — Turkish authorities detain at least 150 at protest over LGBTQ+ arrests
- washingtonpost.com — Turkey expands arrests after LGBTQ+ crackdown
- The New York Times — Turkey Begins Broad Crackdown on L.G.B.T.Q. Community
- dw.com — Turkey's rights groups, EU call out LGBTQ+ crackdown
- www.metroweekly.com — Turkey Arrests 162 in Nationwide Anti-LGBTQ Raids
- stockholmcf.org — Press freedom groups urge Turkey to free journalists targeted during anti-LGBTQ+ crackdown
- stockholmcf.org — Envoys from 6 European countries join backlash over Turkey’s anti-LGBTQ crackdown
- www.yahoo.com — European officials voice concern over LGBT+ crackdown in Turkey
- europeanjournalists.org — Turkey: Judicial harassment of journalists intensifies amid crackdown on LGBTI+ community
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