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Turkey conducts widespread crackdown on LGBTQ+ activists and organizations
Turkish authorities have launched a widespread crackdown targeting LGBTQ+ activists, organizations, and businesses as part of a national campaign titled ‘My family is safe’. The operation, which is linked to the government’s ‘Decade of the Family and Population’ initiative, involves raids on homes, nightclubs, and association offices across multiple cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya.
Justice Minister Akin Gürlek stated the investigation aims to protect children, the family institution, and public order. However, human rights groups and activists describe the move as a significant escalation of state-led repression. The crackdown has resulted in the detention of numerous individuals, including members of the LGBTQ rights organization KaosGL, and the blocking of over 100 social media accounts and various websites.
International reactions have been critical. Several European nations, including France, Germany, and Sweden, issued a joint statement calling the actions ‘deeply troubling’ and noting that Turkey is a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights. While the crackdown has drawn condemnation from the European Union and advocacy groups like ILGA-Europe, the Canadian government has refrained from joining the joint condemnation as it negotiates trade discussions with Ankara.
Entities
Akin Gurlek · Ankara · European Union · ILGA-Europe · Istanbul · KaosGL · Recep Tayyip Erdoğan · Turkey
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 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 · +1 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The investigation aims to protect children, the family institution, and public order. kitchener.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca · www.augsburger-allgemeine.de
- [● 7 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 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The raids represent an escalation of attacks on LGBTI activism and community support. kitchener.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca
- [● 4 SOURCES] Raids were conducted in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya. www.dr.dk · www.boyacadigital.com · www.augsburger-allgemeine.de · hpd.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Several European nations issued a joint statement calling the crackdown deeply troubling. kitchener.citynews.ca · winnipeg.citynews.ca
- [● 6 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 · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Police raided the offices of the LGBTQ rights organization KaosGL and detained board members. www.dr.dk · www.augsburger-allgemeine.de · hpd.de · turkishminute.com