Turkey Arrests Dozens in Raids Against LGBTQ+ Community
Turkey Arrests Dozens in Raids Against LGBTQ+ Community
Updated at: September 15, 2026 at 04:00 AM
In mid-September 2026, Turkish authorities launched a sweeping operation titled 'My Family is Safe,' targeting the LGBTQ+ community across 15 provinces.
The coordinated crackdown resulted in dozens of detentions and judicial proceedings against over 160 suspects, including leaders of LGBTQ+ associations and owners of venues like gay bars.
Furthermore, courts ordered the blocking of numerous websites associated with prominent advocacy groups such as Kaos GL and Lambda Istanbul.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek defended the move, claiming it aimed to 'protect the family' and maintain public order.
This operation aligns with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 'Decade of Family and Population' initiative, which seeks to boost birth rates and emphasize traditional values.
However, human rights advocates have strongly criticized the crackdown, labeling it a political maneuver designed to silence civil society and purge LGBTQ+ visibility.
Critics argue that the government frequently uses 'public morality' laws and allegations of foreign funding to justify repression, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing struggle for rights and expression in Turkey.
