EU and Turkish rights groups condemn LGBTQ+ raids in Turkey

Several police operations targeting LGBTQ+ individuals were carried out in multiple Turkish cities over the past week, resulting in the detention of dozens of people suspected of violating public order statutes. The raids, which were coordinated by the interior ministry’s anti‑terrorism unit, focused on nightclubs, private gatherings and community centers, and led to the arrest of at least 35 persons, according to official figures released on Monday.

Domestic human‑rights groups, including the Human Rights Association and Lambda Istanbul, condemned the actions as discriminatory and a breach of constitutional protections for freedom of assembly and expression. The organizations called for the immediate release of those detained and urged the government to halt what they described as “targeted persecution.” In parallel, officials from the European Union’s foreign affairs department issued a statement from Brussels expressing “deep concern” over the arrests and urging Turkish authorities to ensure that law‑enforcement measures respect international human‑rights standards.

The Turkish interior ministry responded that the operations were conducted in accordance with national security legislation and that any allegations of bias would be examined through the judicial system. While the investigations remain ongoing, both local NGOs and EU representatives have pledged to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the rights of LGBTQ+ citizens in line with Turkey’s legal obligations and EU accession criteria.