Turkish police arrest dozens of prohibited Istanbul Pride

Turkish police arrest dozens of prohibited Istanbul Pride

On Sunday the Turkish police arrested at least 30 people in the central Istanbul, who on a Pride--marsch wanted to participate. The authorities had banned this event as part of a long approach to LGBTQ+events, as an opposition politician reported.

confrontations with the police

A video preserved by Reuters shows how the police with a group of activists who kept rainbow flags, together in the city center before they surround them and dissipated them into police cars. Kezban Konukcu, a MP of the Pro-Kurdish Deme Party, who took part in the march, told Reuters that at least 30 people had been taken into account.

official reaction and legal situation

The police initially did not respond to a request for comments on the incidents. The responsible office of the Istanbul governor had previously classified the march as illegally and explained that groups that promoted the event acted "illegally". Since 2015, the authorities have banned Pride marches in the largest city in Türkiye and cited security concerns.

political rhetoric against the LGBTQ+community

The Islamist AK party of President Tayyip Erdogan has assumed an increasingly harsh rhetoric against the LGBTQ+community in the past ten years. In January 2023, Erdogan declared 2025 to the “Year of the Family” and described the falling birth rate in Turkey as an existential threat. He accused the LGBTQ+movement to undermine traditional values.

reactions of human rights organizations

Erdogan said: "The main goal of gender -neutral policies, in which LGBT is used as a lever, is the family and the holiness of the family institution." Human rights organizations have convicted Turkey's attitude. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International warn that the government's public rhetoric and measures create an enemy environment for LGBTQ+people and lead to increasing discrimination and violence.

Pride week despite bans

Despite the bans, small groups of activists set signs for the Pride week every year. The organizers argue that the increasingly aggressive reaction of the police reflects a broader repression against dissent and freedom of assembly in Turkey.