Surprise operations targeting LGBTQ+ activists and organizations across Turkey have ignited a wave of condemnation both domestically and internationally. Over the weekend, law enforcement arrested numerous individuals and blocked more than 100 social media accounts, actions that authorities defended as necessary for safeguarding traditional families.
The crackdown was framed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as part of the “Decade of Family and Population” initiative, a national strategy introduced in May 2025 aimed at reversing declining birth rates and reinforcing conservative family structures. Despite the government’s stance, protests erupted in Istanbul on Tuesday, with LGBTQ+ associations issuing a joint statement affirming that forming unions and advocating for rights is not a criminal offense.
“Freedom of assembly, freedom of opinion, protection of privacy and presumption of innocence apply to LGBTQ+ people as well,” the declaration read. The demonstrations also drew support from the broader women’s movement, with 120 women’s rights organizations signing a separate statement denouncing what they described as authoritarian politics. They argued that repression of identity and organization is part of a broader pattern of control, asserting, “Being LGBTQ+ is not a crime! Organizing as LGBTQ+ people is not a crime!”
Yildiz Taghizade, representing the organization Women for Women’s Human Rights (WWHR), argued that the state is systematically attempting to criminalize the community. She noted that this effort extends beyond recent operations, aiming to effectively ban LGBTQ+ individuals from political participation and public visibility. Taghizade criticized the government’s use of the slogan “My family is safe,” stating that the real threats to families are tangible issues such as poverty, housing crises, unemployment, and male violence against women, rather than the existence of LGBTQ+ people.
The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) also condemned the raids as human rights violations, calling it unacceptable to treat gender identity and sexual orientation as crimes or to conduct nighttime home removals and digital censorship under the guise of security. Erkan Bas, chairman of the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TIP), demanded the immediate release of those detained and accused the government of using the judiciary, police force, and censorship to silence opposition.
The raids occurred in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir on Sunday, with an Istanbul court ruling on September 13 providing the legal basis. The Bakirkoy Public Prosecutor’s Office cited investigations into “obscene content and LGBTQ+ propaganda” and “national security” concerns to justify the suspensions. Entities targeted included Amnesty International Turkey, the left-leaning Evrensel newspaper, the Academics for Peace initiative, the Lawyers for Justice association, Mor Dayanisma, Kaos GL, and the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA).
While homosexuality is not a criminal offense in Turkey, Justice Minister Akin Gurlek has previously labeled LGBTQ+ organizations as promoting immorality and threatened action against groups he claims target children and families. The European Union expressed concern, with Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand reminding Turkey, as an accession candidate, that it must respect the human rights and dignity of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Emma Sinclair-Webb, Turkey director at Human Rights Watch, described the arrests as evidence that the government intends to criminalize LGBTQ+ persons through administrative means without passing new legislation.
Interesting they blame LGBTQ+ people for declining birth rates. Maybe they should address the actual economic crisis instead of scapegoating?
The medical association’s statement is spot on. Treating identity as a security threat is dangerous pseudoscience, plain and simple.
How can a country claim EU accession aspirations while conducting these kinds of raids? The hypocrisy is staggering and confusing.
I live in Istanbul and the fear here is palpable. People are whispering about these raids at work. When does it stop?
It is terrifying that ‘family protection’ is being used as a pretext to target vulnerable communities. This needs immediate international attention.