Turkish authorities detained at least 150 demonstrators outside an Istanbul courthouse during a protest against a recent government operation targeting LGBTQ+ groups.
Key facts
- •Police intervened to prevent a planned press statement by protesters outside the Caglayan courthouse.
- •The government operation spans 15 provinces and involves 162 suspects.
- •Authorities have blocked social media accounts, including the X account of Amnesty International's Turkey branch.
- •A Turkish court in Izmir ordered 16 people to be jailed pending trial on Monday.
- •Council of Europe Commissioner Michael O'Flaherty called for the release of individuals detained for human rights work.
Turkish police detained at least 150 people on Tuesday after intervening at a gathering outside Istanbul's Caglayan courthouse. The demonstrators had assembled to protest a series of recent government raids and arrests targeting LGBTQ+ associations. As police moved to disperse the crowd, protesters chanted, "Long live life in defiance of hate."
By the numbers
Government Operation 'My Family is Safe'
The protest followed the launch of a government operation titled "My Family is Safe," which officials state is intended to protect children and family values. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek reported on Sunday that the investigation involves 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses across 15 provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin, and Mersin. Over the weekend, authorities detained at least 26 people in Istanbul and 21 in Ankara while raiding several association offices.
Legal Actions and International Response
In the western province of Izmir, a court jailed 16 people pending trial on Monday as part of the ongoing operation. Beyond physical detentions, authorities have blocked access to various websites and social media accounts linked to LGBTQ+ associations, individuals, and independent media, including the X account for Amnesty International's Turkey branch. Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern regarding the arrests and online restrictions. He stated that claims of protecting "family values" do not justify human rights restrictions and called for the release of those detained for civil society or human rights work.
Timeline
- SundayJustice Minister Akin Gurlek announced the scope of the investigation involving 162 suspects.
- MondayA court in Izmir jailed 16 people pending trial.
- TuesdayPolice detained at least 150 people at a protest outside the Caglayan courthouse.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The New Arab, Straits Times World, Al-Monitor.
