The World Liberty Congress (WLC) strongly condemns the latest crackdown targeting LGBTQ+ people, organizations, activists, and venues in Türkiye.
According to independent news reports, at least 162 people have been detained in coordinated raids conducted across several cities. The scale of these operations represents a deeply troubling escalation in the pressure faced by LGBTQ+ communities, civil society organizations, and human rights defenders in Türkiye.
The criminalization of peaceful advocacy, association, and legitimate human rights work is unacceptable. LGBTQ+ organizations and human rights defenders must be able to carry out their lawful activities without fear of raids, arbitrary detention, intimidation, or collective stigmatization. Any allegation of criminal conduct must be assessed individually, on the basis of credible evidence and in full accordance with due process and the rule of law.
These developments are part of a broader and increasingly hostile environment for LGBTQ+ people and organizations in Türkiye. Fundamental rights cannot be made conditional on political approval, social conformity, or identity.
WLC calls on the Turkish authorities to end the targeting and criminalization of LGBTQ+ people, organizations, and human rights defenders; guarantee the rights and safety of those detained; and uphold Türkiye’s international human rights obligations, including freedom of expression, freedom of association, equality, and non-discrimination.
Human rights are universal. No person should be deprived of their dignity, liberty, or fundamental freedoms because of who they are, whom they love, or the rights they peacefully defend.
World Liberty Congress
