Justice Minister Akin Gurlek invoked constitutional duties to protect children and families as the basis for a nationwide sweep against LGBTQ+ and HIV organisations. Human rights groups label the operation a political purge.

  • Police raids in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin targeted LGBTQ+ and HIV groups.
  • Justice Minister Akin Gurlek framed the action as protection of children and families.
  • The Human Rights Association called the operation a political crackdown.

Early Sunday morning, coordinated police units stormed offices, community centres and popular hangouts of several prominent LGBTQ+ rights and HIV‑awareness organisations across Turkey. Dozens of activists were detained as authorities cited a “duty to protect” under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ten‑year executive order on families and children.

Minister Gurlek announced on social media that investigations involving 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses were underway to safeguard “children, the institution of the family, and public order.” He reiterated that the constitution obliges the state to shield families, leaving no room for “criminal organisations, abuse networks or illegal activity” targeting youths.

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The raids affected both current and former members of the targeted groups, and the organisations’ websites were blocked nationwide. Gurlek also highlighted that many of these NGOs receive substantial funding from abroad, a point he used to justify the crackdown.

The Human Rights Association condemned the sweeps, stating, “This is not a judicial investigation; it is a political operation aimed at forcing society into a monolithic family model and purging LGBTI+ and independent civil society under the guise of protecting the family and children.” The statement added that unrelated charges such as “forming a criminal organisation, drugs, prostitution and obscenity” were being used to criminalise the entire community.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has intensified its rhetoric against LGBTQ+ groups to appease its conservative base. Since banning Istanbul Pride in 2015, authorities have repeatedly dispersed any attempted pride gatherings, and this summer an LGBTQ+ cruise ship was denied docking permission in Turkey.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the timing of the crackdown, just months before national elections, suggests a strategic move to mobilize conservative voters and suppress dissenting civil‑society voices, potentially impacting Turkey’s international human‑rights standing.

"Such state‑sanctioned repression not only violates domestic constitutional guarantees but also breaches international human‑rights treaties to which Turkey is a party," says Dr. Leyla Şahin, senior legal scholar at Istanbul University.
Did You Know?: The Ottoman Empire decriminalized homosexuality in 1858, centuries before many modern nations adopted similar reforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Are all LGBTQ+ organisations now banned in Turkey?
A1: No, only specific groups and their online platforms have been blocked, but many smaller collectives continue to operate covertly, facing heightened risk.

Q2: Has the international community responded?
A2: The European Union, United Nations human‑rights bodies, and several NGOs have condemned the crackdown, calling it a breach of Turkey’s international obligations.