Türkiye: Global Unions express their unwavering solidarity with LGBTI+ organisations, activists and human rights defenders

Turkish authorities launched a wave of raids and detentions targeting LGBTI+ organisations, activists, trade union members and human rights defenders. Media reports indicate that dozens of people are being held in detention. According to a statement issued by the Minister of Justice, legal proceedings have been initiated against more than 160 people, as well as 9 associations and 13 businesses. Global Unions, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), stand in solidarity with Türkiye's LGBTI+ communities and all those affected.

Websites and social media accounts of LGBTI+ organisations, independent media outlets, student groups, human rights defenders and activists have reportedly been blocked or made inaccessible, while digital materials have been seized during raids.

Operations spread to fifteen provinces within the first night, also targeting workplaces and community spaces. In Istanbul, organisations providing support to people living with HIV were reportedly raided. The inclusion of organisations supporting people living with HIV in operations targeting LGBTI+ organisations risks reinforcing the harmful and inaccurate conflation of HIV status with LGBTI+ identity, and may discourage people from seeking treatment and support.

According to public statements by the authorities, the operations carried out in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydın and Mersin were conducted under the name "My Family is Safe". While presented as a measure to protect families, these developments raise serious concerns that the stated justification is being used to legitimise discrimination, further restrict civic space and intimidate LGBTI+ people, their organisations, allies and all those who defend fundamental freedoms.

Homosexuality is not a criminal offence in Türkiye, yet discrimination and hostility towards LGBTI+ people remain widespread. The operation's title appears linked to the government's Decade of the Family and Population 2026-2035 initiative, which has been presented as a response to demographic trends. These developments risk reinforcing a climate of fear and further undermining civil society.

Global Unions stand in solidarity with Türkiye's LGBTI+ communities and all those affected. We urge affiliates to write to the Turkish Government and embassies, and to send their own messages of solidarity to those impacted.

Trade unions have a fundamental responsibility to defend freedom of association, freedom of expression, democratic rights and the right of all people to organise without fear of intimidation, discrimination or persecution. Attacks on civil society organisations and human rights defenders undermine these principles and threaten the democratic space upon which workers' rights depend. Silence in the face of such repression can only embolden those responsible.

Jeffrey Boyd and Darienne Flemington, Co-chairs of the Council of Global Unions LGBTI Committee, said: "The repeated and targeted attacks against the LGBTI+ community and its organisations are unacceptable. We demand the immediate release of all those detained solely for exercising their fundamental rights, including freedom of association, expression and peaceful advocacy, and call for an end to raids and other acts of intimidation targeting legitimate civil society activities."

More information:

Council of Global Unions LGBTI Committee

IFJ - Türkiye: Judicial harassment of journalists intensifies amid crackdown on LGBTI+ community

Organisations can sign the ILGA EU statement:here