Turkey Detains 162 in Raids Targeting LGBTQ+ Activists, Venues and Groups
Turkish authorities have detained 162 people in raids across 12 provinces targeting LGBTQ+ activists, organisations and businesses, according to officials and rights groups. The operation was carried out under the government’s “My Family is Safe” campaign, which officials say is meant to protect family values. Police reportedly raided venues, homes and offices linked to LGBTQ+ groups. Prosecutors also announced investigations involving associations and businesses over allegations including obscenity and pornography. Rights group Kaos GL said dozens of activists were detained and that several LGBTQ+ websites and social-media accounts were blocked. Human-rights organisations condemned the raids as politically motivated and warned that unrelated allegations were being used to stigmatise the wider LGBTQ+ community. Same-sex relations remain legal in Turkey, but rights groups say state pressure on LGBTQ+ people has increased in recent years. The allegations against those detained have not been proven in court.
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