Brutal arrests at Istanbuler Pride: Police strikes!

Brutal arrests at Istanbuler Pride: Police strikes!

Istanbul, Türkei - in Istanbul once again suffered the efforts to make the LGBTQ+community more visible on Sunday. At the Pride parade, which has been confronted in the country for years, at least 54 people were arrested. Among the arrested are lawyers and journalists who advocated the rights of the LGBTQ+community. The Turkish legal association CHD reported on brutal measures by the police during the arrest, and the entire event was accompanied by a massive police presence. Because as announced in advance by governor Davut Gül, calls to demonstrations of "marginalized groups" were considered a threat to social peace and moral values ​​of society, which led to a large police operation. in Süddthüringen reported that the arrested are still heard on the same day on the same day should.

The situation for the LGBTQ+community in Turkey has increased increasingly in recent years. The Istanbuler Pride has been regularly dissolved by police operations for over ten years. According to the LGBTQ+right organization Kaos GL, the police said that it took more than 50 people in custody, including several lawyers and journalists. According to Yıldız Tar von Kaos GL, seven of the arrested were released on Sunday evening, the remaining 47 were detained. The time mentions that the organizers had difficulties this year to organize a larger meeting; The venue had to be changed several times, and several metro stations in the area were closed.

A changed climate for LGBTQ+

The repressive measures against the Pride parade are part of a larger trend that shapes the social mood towards the LGBTQ+community in Turkey. After the 2023 elections, the pressure and the public demonization of the community tightened again. Various political actors and media show little to no interest in being proactively working for the rights of LGBTQ+persons. During his tenure, Turkish President Erdoğan repeatedly followed an anti-LGBT agenda that is also actively used to mobilize conservative voters. The Federal Center for Political Education notes that this development has not been taking place since 2010, but has been observed.

It is not new that Turkey under Erdoğan shows a dark side of the liberal reforms from the 2000s, in which homosexuality is legal, but there is massive oppression and discrimination against LGBTQ+rights. The LGBTQ+organizations are still active and carry out protest campaigns, but many activists fear a further restriction of their rights under the new government. A possible constitutional change is also discussed, which the marriage could only define as a community between man and woman.

Outlook

For the LGBTQ+community in Istanbul, the future remains uncertain. Despite the repressive politics and the many obstacles, there are also encouraging signs of resistance and solidarity. Initiatives and organizations continue to fight for equality and acceptance. It remains to be hoped that society will be aware of how important it is to hear and support these voices in order to create an open and inclusive society for everyone.