Turkish Authorities Detain Dozens in Crackdown on LGBTQ+ and HIV Groups
· World · The Independent, Global News, The Hindu
Turkish police conducted simultaneous raids in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin, and Mersin early Sunday, detaining dozens of individuals associated with LGBTQ+ and HIV support organizations. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek stated the operation targeted 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses to protect families and public order. Authorities also blocked the websites of the affected groups, alleging they received significant international funding. The Human Rights Association condemned the raids as a political operation aimed at purging independent civil society. The government has increasingly restricted LGBTQ+ activities over the last decade, including the 2015 ban on Istanbul Pride.
Why it matters
The crackdown significantly curtails the operations of civil society groups providing health and advocacy services to the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey, further limiting independent organizational activity in the country.
Read the original report — The Independent
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.