Solidarity protests planned across Europe after mass detention of LGBTQ+ activists in Turkey

Solidarity protests are set to take place across Europe today, Friday, 18 September, in support of LGBTQ+ activists and human rights defenders detained in Turkey, following what campaigners have described as an unprecedented crackdown on the country's LGBTQ+ civil society movement.

More than 60 human rights, LGBTQ+ and civil society organisations have condemned a series of police raids carried out over the weekend of 12-13 September, which reportedly led to the detention of at least 162 people. Among those detained are an estimated 50 to 60 LGBTQ+ activists and human rights defenders, according to Turkish LGBTQ+ organisations and international media reports.

In a joint statement, groups including ILGA-Europe, TGEU, ILGA World, Front Line Defenders and EuroMed Rights accused Turkish authorities of carrying out a "coordinated attack on organised LGBTQ+ civil society" and called for the immediate release of those detained.

The operation reportedly targeted board members and auditors of several LGBTQ+ organisations across the country, including Kaos GL and Pembe Hayat in Ankara, Muamma and 7 Renk in Mersin, and SPoD, Hevi, Lambda, LİSTAG, Pozitif Yaşam and Pozitif-iz in Istanbul.

Campaigners said the raids came just hours after a court order blocked the websites and social media accounts of several LGBTQ+ organisations, arguing that the timing and scale of the operation point to a broader effort to dismantle organised LGBTQ+ advocacy in Turkey.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said that 162 people, nine associations and 13 businesses were being investigated as part of an operation known as "My Family is Safe". He said the investigation concerned organisations that allegedly "promote LGBT and immorality" and confirmed that authorities were examining funding received from public institutions and international organisations.

Human rights groups warned that the arrests mark a significant escalation in a years-long campaign against LGBTQ+ communities in Turkey, which has included Pride bans, arrests at demonstrations, restrictions on LGBTQ+ content and political rhetoric portraying LGBTQ+ people as threats to families and children.

"The combination of morality-based allegations, raids, detention of governing body members, digital censorship, equipment seizures and scrutiny of foreign funding are taking the attack to a new level," the organisations said.

Particular concern has been raised over the seizure of digital devices and records belonging to LGBTQ+ organisations. Campaigners warned that the data could contain sensitive information relating to activists, people living with HIV, survivors of violence and discrimination, journalists, lawyers and donors.

The coalition has called on Turkish authorities to release all those detained for their human rights work, guarantee access to legal representation, protect confidential data, restore access to blocked websites and ensure that financial investigations are not used to criminalise legitimate international support for civil society organisations.

The groups are also urging the European Union, Council of Europe, United Nations and diplomatic missions in Turkey to intervene, monitor legal proceedings and provide protection and support to those affected.

"We stand in full solidarity with all those detained, and everyone affected," the statement said. "Human rights work is not a crime, and we will never stand aside in the fight for democracy and democratic values."

Protests are expected to take place in a number of European cities on Friday as activists seek to increase pressure on Turkish authorities and draw international attention to what they describe as one of the most serious attacks on LGBTQ+ organising in the country's recent history.