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Turkey conducts widespread crackdown on LGBTQ+ activists and organizations
Turkish authorities have launched a widespread crackdown targeting the LGBTQ+ community as part of a national campaign titled ‘My family is safe’. The operation, which falls under the government’s ‘Decade of the Family and Population’ initiative, has involved raids on homes, bars, and the offices of rights organizations, including KaosGL.
Justice Minister Akin Gürlek stated the investigation into 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses is intended to protect children, the family institution, and public order. The raids have taken place in major cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya. Authorities have also blocked over 100 social media accounts and various websites related to LGBTQ+ issues.
Human rights organizations, including ILGA-Europe, have condemned the actions as an escalation of attacks on LGBTI activism. Activists suggest the crackdown serves as a political tool ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. While same-sex activity is not criminalized in Turkey, several European nations, including France, Germany, and Sweden, issued a joint statement describing the crackdown as ‘deeply troubling’.
Entities
Akin Gurlek · Ankara · ILGA-Europe · Istanbul · KaosGL · Recep Tayyip Erdoğan · Turkey
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Authorities are investigating 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses. www.dr.dk · kitchener.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca · www.boyacadigital.com · www.augsburger-allgemeine.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The investigation aims to protect children, the family institution, and public order. kitchener.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca
- [● 5 SOURCES] Over 100 social media accounts and various websites have been shut down. www.dr.dk · www.boyacadigital.com · kitchener.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca · www.augsburger-allgemeine.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] The raids represent an escalation of attacks on LGBTI activism and community support. kitchener.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca
- [● 2 SOURCES] Raids were conducted in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya. www.dr.dk · www.augsburger-allgemeine.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Several European nations issued a joint statement calling the crackdown deeply troubling. kitchener.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca
- [● 5 SOURCES] The crackdown is part of a national campaign titled ‘My family is safe’. www.dr.dk · www.boyacadigital.com · kitchener.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca · www.augsburger-allgemeine.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Police raided the offices of the LGBTQ rights organization KaosGL and detained board members. www.dr.dk · www.augsburger-allgemeine.de