Repression and targeted attacks on LGBTI persons and defenders in Türkiye
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly
debate on 1 October 2026 (35th sitting) (see Doc. 16499, report
of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, rapporteur:
Mr Sam Rushworth). Text adopted by the Assembly on
1 October 2026 (35th sitting).Provisional version
subject to editorial review.
1. Since 12
September 2026, mass arrests, detentions, raids on homes and digital
restrictions have been used in an immediate, co-ordinated and escalating
campaign that has targeted lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and
intersex (LGBTI) persons, individuals and associations working on
the protection of the rights of LGBTI persons across 15 provinces
in Türkiye. Protesters against these attacks have also been detained. The
Parliamentary Assembly expresses its deep concern at this serious
and continuing wave of repression and affirms its solidarity with
LGBTI persons and defenders in Türkiye.
2. The Assembly is alarmed at the use of a narrative on the protection
of the family, under an operation “My Family Is Safe”, to attack
LGBTI persons and the defenders of their rights. The Assembly is
particularly concerned that these developments mark a shift towards
an increasingly organised and institutionalised campaign against
LGBTI persons, defenders and civil society organisations. It reaffirms
that references to the protection of “traditional family values”
cannot justify disproportionate restrictions of rights or any form
of violence. Repression against LGBTI persons and human rights defenders
is the opposite of family protection.
3. The Assembly regrets the prohibition of Pride marches in Türkiye
for the past decade and reaffirms that the visibility of LGBTI persons
and movements must be protected, as it is an affirmation of their
identity and existence. Recalling its
Resolution 2543 (2024) “Freedom of expression and assembly of LGBTI people
in Europe”, the Assembly reiterates that the banning of Pride marches
and other peaceful LGBTI events is contrary to the case law of the
European Court of Human Rights, which provides that concerns for
the maintenance of public order cannot justify banning peaceful
public LGBTI events or imposing disproportionate restrictions on
them.
4. Attacks on the rights of LGBTI persons often precede attacks
against other groups and are a sign of weakening democracy. The
Assembly deplores that the scapegoating of LGBTI persons is still
frequent in political discourses and calls for an end to the instrumentalisation
of their rights. The rights of LGBTI persons are human rights and
the crackdown on activists threatens the rule of law in Türkiye.
Recalling its
Resolution 2417
(2022) “Combating rising hate against LGBTI people in Europe”,
the Assembly stresses moreover that the official justifications
provided for such crackdowns are likely to give rise to and exacerbate
erroneous and negative public perceptions of LGBTI persons.
5. The Assembly therefore expresses its deep concern at this
sign of further backsliding of democracy in Türkiye. It considers
that the present campaign against LGBTI persons and defenders must
be viewed against this wider deterioration, while stressing that
attacks against the rights of LGBTI persons are, in themselves, serious
human rights violations, which can never be tolerated.
6. Türkiye, as a member State of the Council of Europe, has committed
itself to upholding and promoting democratic values, the rule of
law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. Recalling that the European Convention
on Human Rights (ETS No. 5, the “Convention”) protects the rights
to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and prohibits discrimination
in the enjoyment of Convention rights, including discrimination on
grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, the Assembly
stresses that attacks against the rights of LGBTI persons are in
contradiction with the commitments entered into by signatories of
the Convention.
7. The Assembly regrets the decision by Türkiye to withdraw from
the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence
against Women and Domestic Violence (CETS No.210, “Istanbul Convention”).
This convention protects all victims of gender-based violence, including
LGBTI persons. Recalling its
Resolution
2649 (2026) “Promoting the Istanbul Convention and improving its
implementation: building on lessons learnt”, the Assembly encourages
Türkiye to renew its ratification of the convention.
8. In the light of these considerations, the Assembly calls on
Türkiye to:
8.1 abide by its international
obligations and ensure the protection of human rights defenders, including
defenders of the rights of LGBTI persons and the right to freedom
of assembly;
8.2 immediately release all persons detained on the ground
of their human rights work, their sexual orientation, gender identity
or work or funding for the protection of the rights of LGBTI persons;
8.3 drop charges based on the exercise of freedom of expression,
assembly and association;
8.4 end, without delay, the repression, intimidation, harassment
and violence against LGBTI persons and defenders, and refrain from
adopting anti-LGBTI legislation;
8.5 ensure access to legal assistance to persons in detention,
protect them from ill-treatment and provide guarantees for a fair
trial;
8.6 lift the blocking of websites and social media accounts
of human rights defenders, including defenders of the rights of
LGBTI persons;
8.7 lift bans on Pride marches and other LGBTI events;
8.8 implement judgments of the European Court of Human Rights;
8.9 refrain from using spurious justifications for anti-LGBTI
policies and actions of the authorities and put a stop to hateful
rhetoric against LGBTI persons.
9. The Assembly calls on Council of Europe member and observer
States of the Council of Europe and States whose parliament enjoys
observer or partner for democracy status with the Assembly to demonstrate their
full support to LGBTI persons, condemn repression and targeted attacks
on LGBTI persons and to raise the protection of the rights of LGBTI
persons in international fora and in their diplomatic relations.
10. The Assembly welcomes the adoption of the first Council of
Europe Strategy for Equal Rights for LGBTI people (2027-2032) and
calls for its implementation.
11. The Assembly expresses its support to civil society organisations
working on equality and non-discrimination, including on the protection
of the rights of LGBTI persons, and calls on member States to support
their activity and allocate resources for their work
