Six European countries have condemned recent raids and arrests targeting LGBT+ groups and activists in Turkey, calling the actions "deeply troubling" and voicing solidarity with LGBTI+ people. Officials urged Turkey to respect freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression under international human rights standards and the European Convention on Human Rights. Turkish prosecutors have accused some detainees of offences including obscenity and prostitution, while state media report financial and operational inspections of affected organizations.
European Rights Officials Condemn Turkey's Crackdown on LGBT+ Community After Nationwide Raids
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION - A view of a Pride flag. (is associated with: «European officials voice concern over LGBT+ crackdown in Turkey») Patrick Pleul/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
Human rights officials from six European countries have publicly condemned a wave of raids and arrests targeting LGBT+ organizations and activists across Turkey as "deeply troubling." In a joint statement, representatives from Germany, Sweden, Finland, France, Iceland and the Netherlands urged Turkish authorities to fully respect freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression under international human rights standards and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Solidarity and concern
"We express our full solidarity with all LGBTI+ persons in Turkey," the statement said, calling for an immediate end to measures that may undermine fundamental rights.
Germany was represented in the joint protest by Sophie Koch, the government's commissioner for the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity, and human rights commissioner Lars Castellucci.
Allegations and official response
Turkish authorities carried out nationwide inspections and detentions last weekend, including raids on prominent LGBT organizations. Prosecutors have said some people detained face accusations such as obscenity and prostitution. Justice Minister Akin Gürlek told state news agency Anadolu that financial reviews found what officials described as large transfers from public institutions abroad to some of the groups under investigation.
Pro-government broadcaster Ahaber also reported that inspections by the Istanbul governor's office found certain organizations were not operating in accordance with the purposes for which they were founded. The reports come amid an official climate in which President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has previously called the LGBT movement a "perverse" trend, even though homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey.
Implications
Rights advocates warn that policing of peaceful organizing and expression can chill civil society and undermine Turkey's human rights obligations. European officials emphasized that any allegations of criminal activity should be handled transparently and in line with legal protections and international standards.
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