On Sunday, Istanbul’s police implemented a blockade to prevent a banned demonstration of the city’s denied annual event for the LBGTQ+ community. Authorities managed to detain over 50 individuals who attempted to march, as activists and opposition politicians reported.
The Istanbul Pride has been annually banned by Turkish authorities since 2015, including this year. The Istanbul governor’s office declared the ban, arguing that the event “undermines social peace, family structure, and moral values.”
A strong police presence was noticeable throughout the city, which prevented large gatherings from taking place. Clashes were witnessed between officers and activists advocating with rainbow flags in the city center.
Reacting to the situation, lawmaker Kezban Konukcu from the opposition DEM Party criticized the government’s actions saying, “The palace regime cannot maintain power by demonizing the LBGTQ community.”
Despite not being a crime, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become increasingly aggressive in his rhetoric targeting the LBGTQ+ community over the past decade. In January, Erdogan labeled 2025 as the “Year of the Family,” asserting that Turkey’s decreasing birth rate was an existential threat and saying that the LBGTQ+ movement was endangering traditional family values.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have issued warnings that the government’s rhetoric and measures are creating a hostile environment for LBGTQ+ individuals, contributing to increased violence and prejudice.
“Edited by: John Silk”
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-police-detain-dozens-at-banned-lgbtq-pride-parade/a-73086422?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
