Turkish authorities took strong action against LGBTQ+ groups and individuals on Sunday. Turkish officials detained several members of the LGBTQ+ community and conducted searches at organizational offices.
On Sunday, police simultaneously launched raids in major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydın, and Mersin at one o'clock in the morning, in areas where these people gather, shortly before the elections.
Turkish Minister Akin Gürlek announced on social media that the inspection was being carried out against 162 suspects, nine organizations, and thirteen businesses. This inspection is part of a ten-year executive decree related to the families and children of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and aims to 'protect children, the institution of the family, and public order.'
Gürlek emphasized that the Constitution places the responsibility on the state to ensure the safety of families and children. He stated that no criminal organizations, exploitation networks, or illegal activities targeting children, youth, or families will be permitted.
It became known that during the raids conducted early Sunday morning, both current and former members of several well-known LGBTQ+ rights and HIV awareness groups were targeted. Furthermore, the websites of these organizations were blocked. Minister Gürlek reported that there were indications that these organizations had received significant funding from international sources and agencies.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Association condemned the raids that took place on Sunday. The organization believes that this is not a judicial investigation but a political campaign. In their view, the goal of this campaign is to impose a single model of family on society and eliminate the LGBTQ+ community and independent civil society under the pretext of protecting families and children.
It is also noted that the 'Truth and Development' party consistently opposes LGBTQ+ groups, seeking to appease its conservative supporters. In 2015, this party banned the 'Istanbul Pride,' despite thousands of people participating in it in previous years.
Before the establishment of the modern Turkish Republic, homosexuality was removed from the category of crimes in the Ottoman Empire in 1858; however, social discrimination remains significant.