Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe's (PACE) rapporteurs have called for the immediate release of Osman Kavala following a judgment by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Tuesday (May 12).
Kavala, a businessperson and a rights defender, has been behind bars since October 18, 2017.
Ahead of the 17 May International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) Amnesty International calls on the government of Turkey to take urgent action to counter the increasing number of discriminatory statements and policies by state officials against LGBTI people. The authorities must instead promote equality both in their statements and actions.
Attempting to march to Taksim Square in Beyoğlu, İstanbul to celebrate the May Day, Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) Chair Arzu Çerkezoğlu and 25 others have been taken into custody by the police in front of DİSK Central Office in Şişli, İstanbul.
In days when Turkey and the world is struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are experiencing extraordinary times with thousands of people are losing their lives every day. Amid such crisis, the respect for human rights, the work of rights defenders and their existence are of utmost importance in terms of facilitating solidarity among citizens.
Sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison for having signed the peace declaration, Academic for Peace Prof. Dr. Füsun Üstel has submitted herself to Eskişehir Women’s Closed Prison after her prison sentence has been upheld by the court of appeal.
We call on Turkey to respect, guarantee, protect and fulfil the fundamental rights of the LGBTI community without discrimination as enshrined by its Constitution and equality article therein (article 10), and ratified by human rights treaty bodies.
Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation against the executives of Diyarbakır Bar over their statement on President of Religious Affairs' targeting remarks about LGBTI+ people.
The Diyarbakır Bar previously issued a statement entitled "Press Release Regarding the Hate Speech of President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş."
Kavala will be behind bars for 30 months by the end of this month. Sending a message from prison, he said, “What brings me towards pessimism is that an attitude that disregards universal legal norms has gained traction and legitimacy in judicial circles.”
Rights organizations, politicians and bar associations have condemned President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş’s remarks targeting the LGBTI+s and HIV positive people. Ankara Bar and Human Rights Association (İHD) have filed a criminal complaint.
In his Friday sermon (khutbah) on April 24, President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş targeted LGBTI+s and the ones living with HIV.
Erbaş briefly stated the following: