BCSDN Condemns the Criminalisation of LGBTI+ Civil Society in Türkiye and Calls for Timely Action to Protect Civic Space

The Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) strongly condemns the escalating targeting of LGBTI+ organisations and human rights defenders in Türkiye. The raids, detentions and criminal investigations that began in September 2026 represent a serious attack on the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of LGBTI+ people and human rights defenders, including liberty, equality, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, protected under the European Convention on Human Rights and international human rights law. These developments raise concerns extending beyond the organisations directly affected, as the criminalisation of legitimate civil society activities undermines the enabling environment for independent civic action.

[ DOWNLOAD ONE-PAGER ] 

[body]

What happened?

Beginning on 12 September, coordinated operations across Türkiye targeted LGBTI+ and HIV organisations, activists, journalists and others. At least 116 people were detained, with more than 80 including at least 25 LGBTI+ activists or individuals connected to LGBTI+ organisations placed in pre-trial detention and investigations extending to over 160 people. Offices and homes were searched, digital equipment seized and online content restricted. The crackdown also extended to peaceful protests, with 125 demonstrators, including lawyers and journalists, detained across Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir.

These developments reflect a longer pattern of pressure on LGBTI+ civil society in Türkiye, including restrictions on public expression, excessive auditing of associations and narratives portraying LGBTI+ rights as a threat to the family, children and public morality. Organisation representatives have reportedly been questioned about governance, membership, activities and international funding, while the detention of association leaders and possible dissolution proceedings threaten organisations’ ability to continue operating. The Ministry of Justice circular issued on 14 September further expands these concerns, instructing prosecutors across Türkiye to investigate activities considered contrary to “public morality”, including those allegedly encouraging “genderlessness”. The circular risks extending similar investigations to other organisations and legitimate rights-based activities, further restricting civic space in Türkiye.

A further alarming is the targeting of organisations’ international funding as part of the broader criminalisation campaign. While receiving foreign assistance is legally permitted in Türkiye, subject to prior notification and state oversight, authorities and media outlets have portrayed it as potentially unlawful. This risks discouraging CSOs from seeking international support, deterring donors from funding rights-based work, and exposing international partners to pressure simply for supporting civil society.

[body]

What next?

The scale of these developments calls for urgent international attention and coordinated action. BCSDN calls for the immediate release of all individuals detained solely for their legitimate human rights activities and urges Turkish authorities to guarantee their safety, access to legal representation and fundamental rights. The authorities must also ensure that legislation and administrative measures are not used to intimidate, discriminate against or obstruct organisations exercising their fundamental freedoms.

International institutions, diplomatic missions and donors should respond to these restrictions and ensure continued protection and support for affected organisations and individuals:

• The European Commission and EU Delegation to Türkiye should build on the EU’s statement of 18 September by taking concrete follow-up action through political dialogue with Turkish authorities and ensuring that the restrictions and their wider implications for civic space are reflected in EU monitoring and reporting.
• The Council of Europe, particularly the Commissioner for Human Rights and the Parliamentary Assembly, should follow through on the Commissioner’s statement of 15 September and PACE Resolution 2681 of 1 October, pressing Turkish authorities to end the persecution of LGBTI+ people and the criminalisation of those defending their rights, and to uphold their obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
• UN human rights mechanisms, particularly the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, freedom of expression, and the situation of human rights defenders, should raise concerns with Turkish authorities and call for an end to the targeting of LGBTI+ organisations and activists.
• EU Member States’ embassies and other diplomatic missions in Türkiye should monitor judicial proceedings, engage with affected organisations and raise concerns about the safety and rights of those detained.
• International donors and civil society partners should sustain flexible funding, legal assistance and emergency protection, while opposing attempts to criminalise legitimate international cooperation.

All responses should be guided by the evidence and protection needs identified by independent civil society in Türkiye.

[body]

Why it matters?

The developments in Türkiye also raise wider concerns for the region, where pressures on independent civil society increasingly take different but interconnected forms, including a growing anti-LGBTI+ rhetoric and pressure on organisations and activists. While the circumstances differ across countries, restrictions targeting particular groups can create dangerous precedents for the treatment of other civil society actors. The protection of civic space cannot be selective: freedom of association, assembly and expression, and the right to advocate for human rights, must be guaranteed for all – not only in legislation but also in practice – regardless of the communities they represent or the issues they address.

These developments demonstrate why early identification of civic space restrictions must lead to timely action. Measures targeting LGBTI+ organisations risk extending to other parts of independent civil society, making preventive engagement essential before such practices become normalized.

[body]

BCSDN stands in solidarity with affected organisations and human rights defenders and firmly opposes the criminalisation of legitimate civil society activities. We will continue working with our partners in Türkiye and across the region, monitoring developments and bringing evidence of emerging restrictions to European and international institutions to encourage timely responses.