Police detained dozens of demonstrators on Tuesday outside a courthouse in Istanbul as they protested the recent arrest of LGBTQ+ activists. The arrests occurred during a broad government crackdown on LGBTQ+ organizations and individuals.
On Sunday, Turkish authorities detained dozens of people, raided association offices and popular hangouts, and blocked the websites of LGBTQ+ organizations. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek stated the operation, named "My Family is Safe," was intended to "protect children, the institution of the family, and public order." He reported that the operation targeted 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses.
Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern over the detentions on Tuesday, asserting that "mere references to ‘family values’ or ‘protection of children’ cannot serve as legal justification for human rights restrictions." He urged Turkish authorities to release anyone detained for human rights or civil society work and indicated he would continue to monitor the situation.
Demonstrators outside the Caglayan courthouse carried banners that read, "Being LGBT+ and organizing is not a crime," and chanted slogans in support of LGBTQ+ rights before police intervened and took them into custody. "We are going through a period where there is an attempt by the ruling power to portray LGBT+ people as the cause of every problem in this society," said Banu Aslan, a 36-year-old protester.
The ruling AK Party, which has roots in Turkey's Islamic movement, has increasingly targeted LGBTQ+ groups as it seeks to consolidate support among its conservative base. Istanbul Pride was banned in 2015, and authorities have since forcibly dispersed any attempts to hold Pride events. This past summer, an LGBTQ+ cruise ship that had previously docked in Turkey multiple times was denied permission to dock there.