United Nations condemns crackdown on LGBTQ+ community in Turkey

The United Nations has expressed deep concern regarding recent crackdowns on the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey. Following police raids on homes, bars, and organizational spaces, reports indicate mass arrests of community members and human rights defenders.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, echoing Secretary-General António Guterres, emphasized that protecting LGBTQ+ rights is an inseparable part of protecting human rights. This follows comments from High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk regarding reports of mass detentions. In Izmir, a court ordered the pretrial detention of 16 individuals, while Reuters reports at least 31 people have been imprisoned awaiting trial, with 126 protesters detained during demonstrations in Ankara and Istanbul.

Turkish authorities have also targeted online platforms associated with the community. While officials claim these investigations are intended to protect children and families, human rights organizations and members of Kaos GL have reported targeted arrests of activists and journalists.