Turkey detains dozens in nationwide crackdown on LGBTQ+ groups

Turkish authorities launched a sweeping nationwide crackdown on LGBTQ+ and HIV support groups on September 13, 2026, detaining dozens of activists and raiding offices across multiple provinces. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek defended the operation, dubbed "My Family is Safe," as a constitutional effort to protect children and family values. Human rights groups and European Parliament rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor strongly condemned the raids, calling them a politically motivated assault on civil society.

Turkey LGBTQ+ police raids

• ▪Turkish prosecutors stated that authorities detained at least 47 people, including 26 people in Istanbul and 21 people in Ankara, following weekend raids on LGBTQ+ associations
• ▪The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office announced that police seized drugs, digital equipment, smuggled alcohol, and a firearm during operations across 12 provinces targeting 38 suspects
• ▪Turkish authorities launched simultaneous police raids at 1 a.m. on September 13, 2026, targeting LGBTQ+ groups, association offices, and popular hangouts in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin, and Mersin

Government family protection rhetoric

• ▪Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced that judicial investigations involved 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses across multiple provinces
• ▪Turkish officials stated the crackdown, dubbed "My Family is Safe," aligns with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's family protection initiatives and a "Decade of Family and Population" campaign

Detained activists website blocks

• ▪The Ankara-based LGBTQ+ association Kaos GL stated that at least 50 activists were detained during the raids, including more than 10 taken from their homes
• ▪Turkish authorities blocked access to dozens of websites and social media accounts linked to LGBTQ+ organizations, activists, and rights advocates

International funding allegations

• ▪The Human Rights Association stated that including charges of forming a criminal organization, drugs, prostitution, and obscenity serves to incriminate the entire LGBTQ+ community
• ▪Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek stated that targeted LGBTQ+ and HIV awareness associations were found to receive significant funding from international sources and agencies

Pre-election crackdown escalation

• ▪The ruling Justice and Development Party has escalated vocal opposition and restrictions against LGBTQ+ groups to appeal to conservative voters ahead of upcoming elections
• ▪Turkish authorities banned Istanbul Pride in 2015 and have since violently dispersed attempted Pride gatherings and recently blocked an LGBTQ+ cruise ship from docking

Human rights group condemnation

• ▪The Turkish Human Rights Association condemned the raids as a political operation aimed at forcing a monolithic family model and dismantling independent civil society
• ▪European Parliament Turkey rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor condemned the arrests as a shocking escalation of repression and a blatant violation of fundamental rights

Debatable claims

• ▪Turkey's blocking of LGBTQ+ websites is a justified measure to protect minors
• ▪Turkey's crackdown on LGBTQ+ groups is justified to protect family values