TURKIYE: ILAAD ALERTS MASS ARRESTS TARGETING THE LGBTI+ COMMUNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

The International League Against Arbitrary Detention (ILAAD) expresses its deep concern over the wave of mass arrests carried out by Turkish authorities since 12 September 2026 against associations, activists and journalists defending the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) people. These coordinated operations, conducted across several cities, take place amid growing repression of civil society and fundamental freedoms.

A COORDINATED OPERATION TARGETING LGBTI+ ORGANIZATIONS

On 12 and 13 September 2026, Turkish police conducted coordinated raids against LGBTI+ rights organizations, associations supporting people living with HIV, as well as bars and nightlife venues in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydın and Mersin.

According to information reported by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), at least 116 people were arrested, including 44 LGBTI+ human rights defenders, and at least 82 remained in pre-trial detention as of 18 September. Those targeted include members of Kaos GL, one of the country's oldest LGBTI+ organizations, several other human rights associations, and journalist Tuğba Tekerek, who was detained following the publication of an article on LGBTI+ rights in Georgia.

The Turkish Minister of Justice also announced the initiation of proceedings against 162 individuals, nine associations and thirteen companies, citing allegations including “obscenity,” procuring and drug-related offences.

CRACKDOWN ON PROTESTS AND CENSORSHIP OF CRITICAL VOICES

The arrests sparked spontaneous demonstrations, which were themselves met with repression by the authorities. On 15 September, more than 100 people gathered outside the Çağlayan courthouse in Istanbul were surrounded by police and detained for over 24 hours before being released. According to Reuters, at least 126 protesters were arrested in Istanbul and Ankara that day, including two journalists.

At the same time, the authorities intensified digital censorship. Between 12 and 16 September, dozens of social media accounts and websites belonging to LGBTI+ organizations and activists were blocked or restricted. Amnesty International reported that more than 180 social media accounts had been affected, while the Ministry of Justice had instructed prosecutors across all 81 provinces to pursue activities considered contrary to “public morality.”

A PATTERN OF REPRESSION WITHIN A BROADER CONTEXT OF GROWING RESTRICTIONS

This wave of arrests forms part of a broader pattern of increasing restrictions on Turkish LGBTI+ civil society, including the ban on public LGBTI+ demonstrations in Ankara, in force since 2017. It also takes place against the backdrop of the “Decade of the Family and Population,” proclaimed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the period 2026–2035.

Several international bodies have expressed concern over the situation. On 17 September, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained and raised concerns over reports of mass detentions, ill-treatment in police custody and the impact of the operation on civic space. The European Commission and the Committee to Protect Journalists have also expressed concern, particularly regarding the proceedings initiated against associations and the detention of journalist Tuğba Tekerek.

DISCRIMINATORY DETENTIONS PROHIBITED UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW

ILAAD recalls that deprivation of liberty on discriminatory grounds, including sexual orientation, may fall under Category V of arbitrary detention as defined by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD).

Under Article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), discrimination that undermines the equal enjoyment of human rights is prohibited. In its previous decisions, the WGAD has recognized that detention based on sexual orientation and the criminalization of conduct specific to a particular group may constitute forms of discrimination.

In light of the simultaneous targeting of LGBTI+ organizations, activists, journalists and peaceful protesters, ILAAD considers that the ongoing arrests raise serious concerns regarding Türkiye’s international human rights obligations.

ILAAD CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION

ILAAD urges the Turkish authorities to immediately release all individuals arbitrarily detained on account of their activism or journalistic work; put an end to the instrumentalization of public morality and association laws for the purpose of political repression; and lift all blocking measures targeting LGBTI+ organizations and media outlets.

ILAAD further calls for the discontinuation of dissolution proceedings initiated against human rights organizations and for independent investigations into allegations of ill-treatment in police custody, in accordance with Türkiye’s international human rights obligations.

ILAAD joins the call made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 17 September for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained. The organization will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide support to those affected.