We, the undersigned civil society organisations, express our grave concern about the unprecedented and coordinated crackdown on LGBTI+ civil society, human rights defenders and activists in Turkey since 12 September 2026.
The crackdown started with a court decision blocking access to websites and social media of numerous feminist and LGBTI+ groups, media, student organizations, rights defenders, and activists. On 13 September, police launched operations across several provinces targeting LGBTI+ organisations and human rights defenders. Judicial proceedings have been initiated against more than 160 individuals and 9 associations across 15 provinces. So far, more than 50 LGBTI+ rights defenders, association members, and activists have been detained. The exact number of detainees and the scope of investigations are still being verified.
Members of governing bodies of several associations have been targeted. Offices and homes were searched, and electronic equipment seized. These actions targeted longstanding LGBTI+ and HIV-related organizations, including Kaos GL, Muamma, Mersin 7 Renk, SPoD, HEVİ, Pozitif Yaşam, Listag, Lambda and Pozitif-İz.
We are alarmed by signs that legitimate civil society activities are being falsely labeled as criminal, including accusations related to obscenity, prostitution, drugs, and morality. The prosecution is attempting to create a narrative that LGBTI+ civil society organisations and human rights defenders are part of a criminal organisation. Viewing advocacy, publications, or fundraising as organized crime represents a serious escalation of repression of civic space. We are also worried that lawful domestic and international funding of LGBTI+ groups is being seen as suspicious. Such funding is legal and necessary, already regulated by Turkish law, and should not be considered evidence of criminality. In Turkey, the receipt of funding by civil society organisations (associations and foundations) from abroad and from international organisations is subject to very strict oversight by the General Directorate of Relations with Civil Society, which reports to the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Turkey.
The blocking of digital platforms, raids, detentions, equipment seizures, targeting of associations , and scrutiny of lawful funding create a chilling effect on freedom of association, expression, and human rights. These actions are part of a broader anti-gender politics rooted in patriarchy, aiming to control bodies, identities, and relationships. The struggles for LGBTI+ and women’s rights are interconnected, confronting the same patriarchal systems, and attacks on one strengthen attacks on all.
This moment therefore requires more than the protection of fundamental rights. It requires an unequivocal rejection of using “family”, “morality” and gender conformity as instruments to determine whose identities, relationships, speech and freedom of association are considered legitimate.
We call on the authorities in Turkey to:
- immediately release all persons detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and legitimate human rights work, and ensure full respect for due process and access to legal counsel;
- end raids, digital restrictions and other measures that disproportionately obstruct the lawful work of LGBTI+ organisations and human rights defenders;
- ensure that advocacy, publications, organising, membership, donations, fundraising and lawful domestic or international funding are not treated as evidence of criminal activity;
- stop using organised-crime provisions or broadly defined notions of “obscenity”, “morality” or “family” to criminalise LGBTI+ identities, visibility, organising and advocacy;
- end the instrumentalisation of women, children and the “family” to legitimise discrimination against LGBTI+ people, and guarantee that LGBTI+ organisations can operate freely, safely and without intimidation.
We call on international and regional human rights mechanisms, the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the European Union, diplomatic missions, international civil society organisations, foundations and donors to closely monitor these developments, raise them directly with the Government of Turkey and publicly reaffirm the legitimacy of LGBTI+ human rights work.
We also call international partners to stand firmly with LGBTI+ organisations in Turkey and resist attempts to isolate them through portraying international solidarity and lawful fundraising as suspicious or criminal.
Our bodies, identities, relationships and organisations are not crimes.
Human rights advocacy is not a crime.
Solidarity is not a crime.
We stand together with the LGBTI+ movement in Turkey.
Signatories
- >top Association for the Promotion of Cultural Practice
- 3WayKiss
- 6Rang (Iranian LGBT+ Network)
- Asociación Cultural Nohayquorum Madrid Pride
- Aalawya Foundation
- ACCEDER
- ACCEPT LGBTI Cyprus
- Accion Cimadres
- Accountability without borders
- Associazione per la Cultura e l’Etica Transgenere (ACET)
- Actions Communautaires pour le Développement de la Femme (ACODEFEM)
- AEGAL/MADO
- AFA Nederland
- AFDA Familias Diversas
- Affasa
- Africa Centre for Health Systems and Gender Justice
- AKAHATA AC
- All Out
- All Sorts of Queers (ASQ)
- Alliance for Future Generations
- Allied Rainbow Communities
- Almenara Regenerative Cultures
- ALT-TEXT
- Amahoro Human Respect
- Amani Youth Foundation – Uganda
- Anstatt e.V. Verein zur Förderung von Jugendkultur
- Antifa Wien
- APROSEX
- Arcidonna Napoli
- Ariel Maceo Tellez
- Ars Socialis AC
- Artemis feministischer Sportverein Kiel
- Asamblea Transfeminista de la val de Benas
- ASMR
- Asociacion de Mujeres Fasnieras
- Asociación de Mujeres Lilith
- Asociación LEGAYNÉS.
- Asociación Por Tí Mujer
- Associació Drets Sexuals i Reproductius
- Associació Hèlia
- Associació per a la diversitat afectiva als Països Catalans
- Association for Health Policies and Rights Stronger Together Skopje
- Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)
- Association Transmissions
- Associazione per il Recupero, la Promozione e l’Accoglienza (Associazione A.R.Pa.)
- Associazione A.R.Pa. – Centro Antiviolenza Duna
- Associazione Onda Rosa
- Associazione Thamaia ETS
- ATA Sylvia Rivera
- Athens Museum of Queer Arts
- Atlas of Hate
- ATRAHDOM
- Autonomia
- Azadi network
- Barah Aamen
- BASH BACK
- Beam Community Development 360 Initiative
- Bedayaa Organization for LGBTQIA+ Rights in Egypt
- Berlin Muslim Feminists Collective
- Best Practices Policy Project
- Beyond the Margins
- BIPOC-Network and Exchange .
- Blue Diamond Society
- Bonanzafest Cologne
- Bonhishikha
- Brave Dimension Global
- Brave e.V.
- Brückenwind
- Buntwäsche hildesheim e.V.
- Camp Trans CIC
- Campaign Against Homophobia Poland
- Campaign against Homophobia Germany
- CAN-Myanmar
- Canales Asociación Civil
- Casa delle donne Bologna
- Casa delle donne per non subire violenza Bologna
- Casa Kua
- Cênî – Kurdisches Frauenbüro für Frieden e.V
- Centre audiovisuel. Simone.de Beauvoir.
- Centre for Gender Rights “Diotima”
- Centro Antiviolenza M.I.A. – ODV
- Centro Donna Giustizia
- Centro per non Subire Violenza D.I.RE
- CESIDA
- Checkpoint Malta
- CHOISIR
- Christopher Street Day Sachsen-Anhalt e.V.
- CIVICUS
- Climate Action Network Australia
- Climate Emergency Australia
- Climate Justice UofT
- Climáximo
- COEDEN FAWR
- Col•lectiu Posidonia
- Col·lectiu Orgull Osona
- Collective Aid
- Colombia Diversa
- Colors Rainbow
- Common Threads Indigenous Peoples Organisation
- Conectando Derechos
- CORPORACION BARRACA
- Corporación Barraca
- CREA
- Critical Queer Solidarity e.V.
- Crossroads Collective
- CSD Dessau-Rosslau e.V.
- CSD Köthen e.V.
- CSD Magdeburg e.V.
- CSD Stendal e.V.
- Currie Country Social Change
- D.i.Re – Donne in Rete contro la violenza
- D&J Arc-en-Ciel
- Dalan Fund
- Delete Nothing
- Den Haag BIJ1
- Derechos Humanos y Diversidad Asociación Civil
- District Berlin
- Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality
- Divine Queer Film Festival
- Doctors for the Environment Australia
- Doorbraak
- Dublin Lesbian Line
- Dyke March Amsterdam
- Dyke March Brussels
- E-graine
- Eastern European Coalition for LGBT+ Equality (EECLGBT)
- EATHAN Foundation
- ECPI-Euroregional Center for Public Initiatives
- Éditions iXe
- Editorial Team Bürgerrechte & Polizei | CILIP
- Ehlenhof e.V.
- eigenMächtig – Beratung und Unterstützung für Frauen und trans* Personen
- ELDH -European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights
- Ella vzw Kenniscentrum Gender en Etniciteit
- Enredaderas: tierra, género y autoconocimiento
- Ensamble Kafka
- Equality Bahamas
- Equipe de Base Warmis – Convergência das Culturas
- Equite Sri Lanka
- EUFORIA. Familias Trans-Aliadas
- European Alternatives
- Fédération des Centres Sociaux et socioculturels de France (FCSF)
- FeauenLesben Gruppe Frankfurt
- Federacion de Asociaciones de Mujeres Arena y Laurisilva
- Federación Plataforma Trans
- fem*FAU (feminists in the Free Workers’ Union)
- Femena
- FEMINA NETWORK
- Feminist Diplomacy Lab
- Feminist Frames
- Feminist Initiative for Health Education and Climate Awareness
- Feminist Task Force
- Feministisches Zentrum Freiburg e.V.
- femLINKPacific
- Figth4Aylesbury
- Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre
- Fiji Women’s Rights Movement
- First Mardi Gras 78ers
- Flláma Cultural
- Flourish NGO
- Flüchtlingsrat Niedersachsen
- Foll Bunt e.V.
- Forbidden Colours
- Förderverein Frauenzentrum Bad Honnef
- Forum Civique Européen
- Foundation for Women and Family Planinng (FEDERA)
- Frauen für Frauen
- Frauenhaus Gießen e.V.
- FrauenLesbenMigrantinnenZentrum Wien
- Frauenzentrum Bad Honnef
- FRI Vestland
- Friends of the Earth Australia
- Friends of the Earth Cyprus
- Fugite
- Fugitive Inages
- Fundación Aspacia
- Fundación Estudio e Investigación Nujer FEIM
- Furia
- Future404
- galck+
- Global Alliance for LGBTIQ+ Education (GALE)
- Garabtaag
- Geen Haat Op Straat
- Gender Advisory Team
- Girls Rock! Pride Rock Rochester
- GIRLxGIRL
- GLAA
- Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice (DCJ)
- Global Justice Institute
- Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC)
- Göçmen Kadınlar Birliği
- GongGam Human Rights Law Foundation
- Group d’action feminist Maroc (Gafm.1)
- Hackerspace d’Autodéfense Contre les Cyberviolences (HACC)
- Háttér Society
- Health GAP
- Hellenic Culture Centre
- Héranval
- Hidden Goddess Greece
- HIV Justice Network
- HIV/AIDS Human Rights Action ‘AL’
- Hivos
- Holding the Line
- Holistic Protection Collective
- Human is My ID collective
- Human Rights Foundation
- Humanity For The World (HFTW)
- HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement
- ICA Foundation Kenya
- The International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation (IGLYO)
- International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) World
- International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) Europe
- Infinity Rug
- Inıtıiative Against Femicide
- Initiative for Equality and Non Discrimination (INEND)
- Initiative Gedenkort KZ Uckermark
- Interkular ggmbh
- International IDAHO Committee
- International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) Oceania
- International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)
- International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA)
- Internationalist Queer Pride Berlin
- InterPride
- iProbono
- IraQueer
- Isha L’Isha Haifa Feminist Center
- Ivy Foundation
- JEJAKA
- Just Futures Collaborative
- Just. Equal Australia Inc
- Justice for Sisters
- KAKTUS Malta
- Kaleidoscope Trust
- Kemban Kolektif
- Key Population Advocacy Consortium PNG
- KL Queer Space
- kolekTIRV | For the rights of trans, intersex and gender variant persons
- Kolektiv MANA
- Komitee für Grundrechte und Demokratie e.V.
- Kontakt- und Beratungsstelle für Geflüchtete und Migrant*innen e.V. (KuB)
- La Incidència
- La veilleuse
- Lab Futura
- le Planning familial du Nord
- League of Ex-Muslims
- Legal Centre Lesvos
- Lesbians Against Fascism
- LGBT+ Platform of Kyrgyzstan
- LGBT+Movimento
- LGBTQ Yemen
- Linda Laurie Associates
- Lithuanian Development Cooperation Platform (Lithuanian NGDO Platform))
- Little Red Tarot
- Lobau bleibt
- LooM SWANA
- Lotta e.V. – Verein zur Förderung feministischer Mädchen- und Frauenarbeit
- Lunes lilas
- LUQS – Lesbenarchiv und queere Sammlung Frankfurt
- Magenta
- Mahwari Justice
- Marche mondiale des femmes
- Maria Ines Re
- Mas Llafrenca
- Mayako Pahichan Nepal
- Mediactive Berlin
- medico international
- Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies
- Mending Minds Foundation (Fiji)
- Merhaba vzw
- Mesahat Foundation for sexual & Gender diversity in Nile valley (Egypt & Sudan)
- Migrant Solidarity Bulgaria
- Migrantinnenverein Düsseldorf e.V.
- Minimantis Berlin
- Mitini Nepal
- Mondro
- MOSAIC, MENA Organization for Services Advocacy Integration and Capacity Building
- Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l’amitié entre les peuples (MRAP)
- Mujer & Mujer Foundation
- NAJMA Network
- National NGO Coalition
- National Queer Theater
- Native Calgarian Podcast
- Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation
- Nest! Foundation
- New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance
- New Woman Foundation
- NGO Support Centre
- NOMOS: International Research on Law, Culture, and Power
- Noon Feminist Movement
- Noor
- Nuravi Foundation
- Oceania Pride
- Onusshor
- OOR Saloon
- OurCause
- Oy Gevalt !
- Pacific Women Mediators Network
- PACIFICA Inc. Aotearoa
- International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) Pan Africa
- Parivartan
- Paula e.V. Köln
- PEN Norway
- People’s Medical College (PMC) Hospital & Maternal and Child Health Hospital MCH, Nawabshah
- Peoples Climate Assembly
- Perempuan Mahardhika
- Pink Human Rights Defender NGO
- Pink Noise – Verein zur Förderung Feministisch Popkultureller Aktivitäten
- Piso Thrania
- Plateforme UNITY
- Friends Frangipani Inc. (PNG)
- POCACITO Network
- Popoki Peace Project
- Positive Champions Health and Empowerment Initiative (PCHEI)
- Potgrond
- Prana Transgender Network
- Pride Marseille
- Pride Torremolinos
- Pride Wide Trust
- Purple Royale: Trans Voices Amplified
- QuARC (Queers Against Racism and Colonialism)
- Queer Base – Welcome and Support for LGBTIQ Refugees
- Queer Culture Cooperative HONG-YE-DANG (퀴어문화협동조합 홍예당)
- Queer European Asylum Network
- Queer Refugees, Migrants and Friends Osnabrück
- Queer-Beirat Osnabrück
- Queer-Osnabrück.de
- Queer*referat Uni Mainz
- Queerbase
- Qun Jelesi
- Radicaal Collectief Queer Nijmegen (RCQN)
- Radical Faeries of Berlin
- Radical Women U.S.
- Radical Women Australia
- Rainbow Action Korea
- Rainbow Railroad
- Rainbow Rose
- Raise The Pacific
- Raise Your Voice CBO
- Realizing Sexual and Reproductive Justice
- Reka Si
- ReportOUT
- ReportOUT Nigeria
- RFSL
- Richmond Art Gallery
- Rizomi.lab ETS
- Romnja Feminist Library
- Rownosc.org.pl Foundation
- Safe Space Allies Organization
- Safiya centro antiviolenza centro di promozione sociale e culturale delle donne – APS
- Samoa Faafafine Association (“SFA”) Inc.
- Sanad Collectif
- Sapphic Roots Collective
- SAQFE Organisation
- Sarajevo Open Centre
- SASOD Guyana
- Savie asbl NGO LGBTQI DRC
- Seoul Queer Culture Festival Organizing Committee
- Sexual Assault Crisis Center
- Shabbes 24/7
- Sibyls
- Sidaction
- Sievietei paveicās
- Sinnaneun Center Inc
- Sipineq+
- SIS Forum (Malaysia)
- Sisters 2 Sisters
- Skyline International for Human Rights
- SMEX
- Social Work Action Network in Greece
- Society of Fa’afafine in American Samoa
- Society of Gender Professionals
- Society of Trans Women of the Philippines (STRAP) Inc.
- Solidarité Internationale LGBTQI
- Solidarity With OTHERS
- Somali Aid organisation
- Spanish LGTBI+ Federation (FELGTBI+)
- Spectrum
- St. Paul’s Foundation (Erasing 76 Crimes)
- STAG Initiative
- Strings For Solidarity
- Strong me
- Sex Workers’ Advocacy Network (SWAN Foundation)
- SWANA Pride
- Syrian Home
- t r a n s i e n c e
- Trans Radical Resource Exchange (T-RREx)
- Takatoat
- Talay’an Mena Organization
- Tęczowe Dziki
- The De|Center
- The Fruit Basket
- The Immigrant Artist Biennial
- The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs)
- The Post Collective
- The Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in South West Asia and North Africa (WHRDMENA)
- Theater Halbe Treppe Dinslaken
- Tiwizi Lab
- Together against poverty Program
- Tonga Leitis Association
- Trans Healthcare Action
- Trans Refugee Initiative Uganda
- Trans Utrecht & Beyond
- Trans Viel Freude
- TransAkcija Institute
- Transat (SWANA)
- Transat (MENA)
- TransCore
- Trillke e.V.
- Trinidad and Tobago Transgender Coalition
- Turkey Litigation Support Project (TLSP)
- Tuvalu Association of Non Government Organisation
- Twilight Support Initiative (TSI) Uganda
- Universités d’Été Euroméditerranéennes des Homosexualités (UEEH)
- “Unión General de Trabajadoras y Trabajadores de España (UGT)
- “
- Un Velos au plafond
- UNAforWomen
- United Nations LGBTI Stakeholder Group
- Universiteto LGBT grupė
- Unizon
- Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism
- Vejer sin Fronteras
- Verein HeVio-Health and Violence
- Viluthu
- VPride
- VVN/BdA
- vzw Terra Viva
- Wagayway Equality, Inc.
- Women Solidarity Network (WANA)
- Wen-Do Kollektiv Zürich
- WenDo Dresden
- Coalition of Women Human Rights Defenders in Darfur (WHRDS TMD)
- Women in Development Europe (WIDE) Austria
- Women In Development Europe (WIDE+) Belgium
- WO=MEN Dutch Gender Platform
- WomanUp Foundation
- Women Collective Kenya
- Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) International
- Women Engage for a Common Future e.V.
- Women Fund
- Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML)
- Women Without Violence International Foundation
- Women’s Intercultural Network
- Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Germany
- Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Austria
- Women’s Issues Information Center
- Women’s Major Group
- Women’s Solidarity Network
- Women’s Support and Information Centre NPO
- Women’s Rights Foundation
- World Liberty Congress
- World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
- Women’s UN Report Network (WUNRN)
- XPOSED Queer Film Festival Berlin
- XY Spectrum
- Yellowdot
- Young Feminists
- Young Out Here Sri Lanka Trust
- Youth Pride
- Zawaye El Jiran
- Ženaki lobi Slovenije
- Γυναίκες Αλληλέγγυες
- Δίκτυο για τα πολιτικά και κοινωνικά δικαιώματα
- Η φωνή της
- Φυσάει Κόντρα δημοτική κίνηση στην Αγία Παρασκευή
