Istanbul Police: Detain Dozens at LGBTQ+ Protest After Crackdown

• Istanbul police detained dozens of LGBTQ+ rights demonstrators outside the Caglayan courthouse on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
• The protest followed a widespread "My Family is Safe" operation by Turkish authorities, which involved detaining activists, raiding offices, and blocking websites, targeting 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses.
• Justice Minister Akin Gurlek justified the operation as necessary to "protect children, the institution of the family, and public order."
• Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern, stating that "family values" cannot legally justify human rights restrictions.
• This crackdown is part of an escalating trend by Turkey's ruling party, which has banned Istanbul Pride since 2015 and recently denied docking to an LGBTQ+ cruise ship.

mere references to ‘family values’ or ‘protection of children’ cannot serve as legal justification for human rights restrictions.

On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, law enforcement officials in Istanbul took dozens of individuals into custody who were demonstrating outside the Caglayan courthouse. The protest aimed to secure the release of LGBTQ+ activists who had been apprehended during a widespread government operation just days prior. Before the detentions, police surrounded the demonstrators, who had gathered to voice their support for LGBTQ+ rights and carried signs proclaiming, "Being LGBT+ and organizing is not a crime."

This incident followed a significant crackdown initiated by Turkish authorities on Sunday, targeting numerous LGBTQ+ groups and individuals. During this operation, dozens of people were detained, offices of various associations were forcibly entered, and popular gathering spots were raided. Additionally, the online presence of these organizations was blocked. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek publicly stated that the initiative, named "My Family is Safe," was designed to "protect children, the institution of the family, and public order," and involved 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses.

The actions by Turkish authorities quickly drew international scrutiny, with Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, voicing his apprehension on the same Tuesday. Speaking from Strasbourg, France, O’Flaherty emphasized that "mere references to ‘family values’ or ‘protection of children’ cannot serve as legal justification for human rights restrictions." He explicitly called upon Turkish authorities to release all individuals detained for their involvement in human rights or civil society work, affirming his commitment to closely monitor the evolving situation.

These remarks underscore a growing concern regarding the erosion of civil liberties and the potential for Turkish police human rights violations under the guise of national security or moral protection. The Commissioner's statement highlights the international legal framework that prioritizes fundamental rights over broad, undefined justifications for their curtailment, signaling a potential conflict with Turkey's obligations under international human rights treaties.

The recent detentions and the "My Family is Safe" operation are part of an intensifying Turkey LGBTQ+ crackdown, driven by the ruling party's efforts to solidify its conservative political base. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s party, which has historical ties to Turkey’s Islamic movement, has increasingly adopted an anti-LGBTQ+ stance. This strategic shift aims to appeal to and consolidate support from more traditional segments of the electorate.

This pattern of suppression is not new. In 2015, authorities prohibited Istanbul Pride, an event that had previously attracted tens of thousands of participants. Since that ban, any attempts to organize Pride gatherings have been met with violent dispersal by law enforcement. More recently, an LGBTQ+ cruise ship, which regularly tours the Mediterranean and had previously docked in Turkey multiple times, was denied entry to Turkish ports this summer. As one protester, 36-year-old Banu Aslan, articulated, there is a perceived attempt by the governing power to scapegoat LGBT+ individuals as the source of societal problems.

Lawyers advising clients with operations or interests in Turkey should be aware of the escalating crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights, signaling increased risks of arbitrary detentions and restrictions on civil liberties. This trend could impact foreign businesses or NGOs and necessitates careful consideration of human rights compliance and potential legal challenges under international law.

Source: Reporting based on AP coverage.