Latest news with #KezbanKonukcu
The Independent
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Police detain over 50 people in crackdown on Istanbul Pride march
Turkish authorities detained more than 50 individuals attempting to participate in Istanbul Pride on Sunday, as a decade-long crackdown on the LGBTQ+ event continued. A significant police presence was deployed across key areas of Istanbul, effectively preventing large gatherings and forcing organisers to repeatedly alter the planned assembly points for the annual march. Yildiz Tar, editor-in-chief of the LGBTQ+ rights organization and the journal Kaos GL, wrote on X that 54 people were detained at Istanbul Pride, including six lawyers. As of Sunday evening, seven had been released and 47 were still in detention. The Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey, or DISK, announced that at least three journalists were among the detained. 'The palace regime will not be able to stay in power by demonizing the LGBTQ community,' said Kezban Konukcu, Member of Parliament from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party, or DEM, who participated in the event. Once boasting tens of thousands of participants, Istanbul Pride has been banned since 2015 as the religious conservative Justice and Development Party began playing up to the more conservative elements of its base.
2 hours ago
- Politics
Turkish police detain over 50 people in crackdown on Istanbul Pride march
ISTANBUL -- Turkish authorities detained over 50 people attempting to march for Istanbul Pride on Sunday as part of its decade long crackdown on the event. A heavy police presence in hot spots around the city prevented significant gathering, and the organization had to change the gathering location multiple times. Yildiz Tar, editor-in-chief of the LGBTQ+ rights organization and the journal Kaos GL, wrote on X that 54 people were detained at Istanbul Pride, including six lawyers. As of Sunday evening, seven had been released and 47 were still in detention. The Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey, or DISK, announced that at least three journalists were among the detained. 'The palace regime will not be able to stay in power by demonizing the LGBTQ community,' said Kezban Konukcu, Member of Parliament from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party, or DEM, who participated in the event. Once boasting tens of thousands of participants, Istanbul Pride has been banned since 2015 as the religious conservative Justice and Development Party began playing up to the more conservative elements of its base.
AsiaOne
5 hours ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Turkish police detain dozens at banned Istanbul Pride march, lawmaker says, World News
ISTANBUL — Turkish police detained at least 30 people in central Istanbul on Sunday (June 29) as they tried to take part in a Pride March, which authorities had banned as part of a years-long clampdown on LGBTQ+ events, an opposition politician said. Footage obtained by Reuters showed police scuffling with a group of activists holding rainbow flags in the city centre before rounding them up and loading them into police vans. Kezban Konukcu, a lawmaker from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party who attended the march, told Reuters that at least 30 people had been taken into custody. Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Istanbul governor's office had earlier deemed the march unlawful and said groups promoting the event were operating "illegally". Authorities have banned Pride marches in Turkey's largest city since 2015, citing public safety and security concerns. President Tayyip Erdogan's Islamist-rooted AK Party has adopted increasingly harsh rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community over the past decade. In January, Erdogan declared 2025 the "Year of the Family," describing Turkey's declining birth rate as an existential threat and accusing the LGBTQ+ movement of undermining traditional values. "The primary goal of the gender neutralisation policies, in which LGBT is used as a battering ram, is the family and the sanctity of the family institution," Erdogan said in January. Rights groups have condemned Turkey's stance. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have warned that government rhetoric and actions are fuelling a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ people, contributing to rising discrimination and violence. Despite the bans, small groups of activists continue to mark Pride Week each year. Organisers say the increasingly aggressive police response reflects broader crackdowns on dissent and freedom of assembly in Turkey. [[nid:719587]]
DW
7 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Turkey: Police detain dozens at banned LGBTQ+ Pride parade – DW – 06/30/2025
Dozens of people have been detained in Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, and police blocked key parts of the city as the LGBTQ+ community attempted to hold a Pride parade. Police in Istanbul on Sunday blocked attempts to hold a banned LGBTQ+ Pride demonstration, detaining more than 50 people who tried to march, according to activists and an opposition politician. Istanbul Pride has been banned annually by Turkish authorities since 2015, including this year. The governor of Istanbul had earlier banned the LGBTQ+ community from holding a Pride Parade, saying it "undermines social peace, family structure, and moral values." A strong police presence in key areas of the city prevented large gatherings. Officers were seen clashing with activists holding rainbow flags in the city center. "The palace regime cannot maintain power by demonizing the LGBTQ community," Kezban Konukcu, a lawmaker from the opposition DEM Party who attended the march, said. Homosexuality is not a crime in Turkey, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has adopted increasingly harsh rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community over the past decade. In January, Erdogan declared 2025 the "Year of the Family," describing Turkey's declining birth rate as an existential threat and accusing the LGBTQ+ movement of threatening the traditional family. "The primary goal of the gender neutralization policies, in which LGBT is used as a battering ram, is the family and the sanctity of the family institution," he said at the time. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have warned that the government's rhetoric and actions are creating a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ people, leading to increased discrimination and violence.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Turkish police detain dozens at banned Istanbul Pride march, lawmaker says
Turkish police detained at least 30 people in central Istanbul on Sunday as they tried to take part in a Pride March, which authorities had banned as part of a years-long clampdown on LGBTQ+ events, an opposition politician said. Footage obtained by Reuters showed police scuffling with a group of activists holding rainbow flags in the city center before rounding them up and loading them into police vans. Kezban Konukcu, a lawmaker from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party who attended the march, told Reuters that at least 30 people had been taken into custody. Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Istanbul governor's office had earlier deemed the march unlawful and said groups promoting the event were operating 'illegally.' Authorities have banned Pride marches in Turkey's largest city since 2015, citing public safety and security concerns. President Tayyip Erdogan's Islamist-rooted AK Party has adopted increasingly harsh rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community over the past decade. In January, Erdogan declared 2025 the 'Year of the Family,' describing Turkey's declining birth rate as an existential threat and accusing the LGBTQ+ movement of undermining traditional values. 'The primary goal of the gender neutralization policies, in which LGBT is used as a battering ram, is the family and the sanctity of the family institution,' Erdogan said in January. Rights groups have condemned Turkey's stance. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have warned that government rhetoric and actions are fueling a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ people, contributing to rising discrimination and violence. Despite the bans, small groups of activists continue to mark Pride Week each year. Organizers say the increasingly aggressive police response reflects broader crackdowns on dissent and freedom of assembly in Turkey.
