A number of Irish community organisations came together for a demonstration in solidarity with LGBTQ+ people in Türkiye. The groups, including LGBT Ireland, Belong To, TENI, Dublin Pride and more, gathered outside the European Parliament Liaison Office in Dublin from 6pm on Wednesday, September 30.

The demonstration was held as part of an International Day of Solidarity called for by LGBTQ+ organisers in Türkiye. It comes after raids were carried out across 12 of the country’s provinces, orchestrated by Justice Minister Akın Gürlek under the ‘My Family Is Safe’ campaign.

Gürlek later confirmed that 162 people, 13 businesses and nine associations are currently being investigated as a result of the crackdown. On the same day as the Dublin demonstration, the İstanbul 1st Criminal Court of Peace ordered that the independent news website T24 and its social media accounts be shut down for “LGBT propaganda”.

In response to the crackdown, 20 Irish LGBTQ+ organisations sent a joint letter to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee TD, calling for immediate and concrete diplomatic action. The groups involved state that they are “deeply concerned” by the situation, as well as by the reported treatment and safety of those in detention.

At Wednesday’s demonstration, they made a number of demands, including an immediate end to the targeting and criminalisation of LGBTQ+ people, organisations, activists and human rights defenders in Türkiye. They also called for the release of people detained or imprisoned solely in connection with legitimate human rights activity or the exercise of fundamental freedoms. For those who remain in detention, they demanded safe, humane and non-discriminatory conditions, including having access to medication, hygiene supplies, clean water and protection from harm.

In addition to putting pressure on the Irish government, the groups also said the EU and its institutions should raise the situation with Turkish authorities. Finally, they called for “continued and strengthened support” for LGBTQ+ organisations and human rights defenders in the country.

 

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“Today, LGBTQI+ organisations, community members and allies in Ireland are standing alongside the LGBTQI+ community in Turkey to say that they are not alone,” stated LGBT Ireland’s Policy and Research Manager, Tim Hanley. “We are holding this demonstration because our colleagues in the LGBTQI+ movement in Turkey have called for international solidarity. And because we believe solidarity must translate into action.

“The targeting of LGBTQI+ people, activists, human rights defenders and independent civil society is an attack not only on LGBTQI+ rights, but on freedom of association, freedom of expression, civic space and the rule of law.”

Hanley added, “The Irish Government and the European Union cannot respond to this escalation with expressions of concern alone. They must use their diplomatic and political influence to press the Turkish authorities to end this crackdown, release those detained for legitimate human rights activity, and ensure the safety and dignity of everyone in detention. 

“They must also stand firmly behind the independent civil society organisations and human rights defenders who continue their vital work under enormous pressure.”