Türkiye: UN experts alarmed by crackdown on LGBTI human rights defenders and civil society organisations

GENEVA – UN experts* today denounced a severe crackdown on human rights defenders and LGBTI organisations in Türkiye, involving criminal, administrative and financial measures that unduly restrict the rights to freedom of expression and association and obstruct legitimate human rights work.

“Türkiye must end the harassment of LGBTI human rights defenders and organisations and ensure a safe and enabling environment in which they can exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association and continue their legitimate work without fear of arrest, intimidation, stigmatisation or criminalisation,” the experts said.

They noted that, since 12 September 2026, at least 44 human rights defenders have reportedly been detained or arrested in the framework of the so-called ‘My Family is Safe’ operation. Security forces have also searched private homes and offices, seizing digital equipment and blocking websites and social media accounts belonging to LGBTI persons or organisations defending their rights. At least 117 individuals were initially detained, with a reported 124 persons later detained during protests against the operation. The Minister of Justice has announced judicial measures against more than 160 individuals and 20 associations and businesses.

“We demand an immediate end to the so-called ‘My Family Is Safe’ operation,” the experts said.

“We are concerned that investigations reportedly invoke offences relating to ‘obscenity’, ‘morality’ and prostitution, alongside official statements describing associations as promoting ‘LGBT and immorality’ and the framing of LGBTI persons as a threat to families,” the experts said.

“Morality-based arguments cannot justify discriminatory restrictions against LGBTI persons or those defending their rights. Public officials should refrain from using stigmatising rhetoric and suggesting that legitimate advocacy is criminal or immoral.”

They questioned financial investigations reportedly being conducted into some affected organisations. “The receipt of international funding is permitted under Turkish law and does not constitute evidence of criminal conduct,” the experts said. “We are concerned that these investigations have reportedly publicised donors’ identities, violating their right to privacy and potentially deterring future donations. The ability of human rights defenders and associations to seek, receive and use resources is an integral part of their human rights.”

They were alarmed about reports of the detention conditions, particularly the risks faced by LGBTI persons, including allegations of discrimination and harassment based on HIV status and gender identity, unsanitary conditions, solitary confinement, humiliating searches, inadequate access to healthcare and medication and obstacles to due process guarantees.

“We demand the immediate release of persons detained solely for their legitimate human rights work and call on authorities to, in the interim, ensure access to adequate healthcare and medication, legal counsel and effective judicial safeguards, guarantee freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment and fully protect the physical and psychological integrity of all detainees,” they said.

The experts said the instrumental use of criminal law to punish or limit human rights work is a misuse of the justice system and entails human rights violations.

“We urge the Government to end criminal and financial investigations targeting LGBTI persons without a clear legal basis, return equipment not demonstrably required for lawful investigations and work with the platforms concerned to lift digital restrictions that do not meet human rights standards. They must protect confidential information and ensure that LGBTI and HIV-related organisations can continue legitimate activities free from intimidation, retaliation, stigmatisation or interference.”

The experts are in contact with the Government of Türkiye about this issue.