Turkey Detains Dozens in Crackdown on LGBTQ+ Activists and Journalists.

By Desmond

Turkish authorities have intensified a nationwide crackdown targeting LGBTQ+ activists, rights organisations, protesters and journalists, with dozens of people detained and others placed in pre-trial detention. The operation has triggered criticism from human rights organisations and European officials, who have raised concerns about freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in Turkey.

The raids began on September 12 under an operation described by authorities as “My Family Is Safe.” Prosecutors say investigations are taking place across 15 provinces and involve 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses. Turkish officials have said the operation is intended to protect children and family values while investigating alleged offences including prostitution and obscenity.

LGBTQ+ rights organisation Kaos GL has been among the organisations affected. On September 16, Reuters reported that eight members of the group had been jailed pending trial. Seven other members, including a journalist, were released under judicial supervision. Authorities have also restricted access to numerous websites and social-media accounts connected to LGBTQ+ organisations, activists and journalists.

The crackdown has also affected people protesting against the arrests. Reuters reported that at least 31 people were arrested pending trial on September 15, while 126 protesters were detained during demonstrations in Istanbul and Ankara. Police have also used pepper spray against protesters in some locations.

Journalists have faced restrictions as well. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported the arrest of freelance journalist Tuğba Tekerek during the crackdown, calling on Turkish authorities to release her and stop detaining journalists for carrying out their professional duties.

Amnesty International said that more than 60 people had been arrested across 15 provinces by September 15, with at least 23 placed in pre-trial detention. The organisation also reported that more than 180 social-media accounts belonging to LGBTQ+ organisations, activists, journalists and media outlets had been blocked or restricted.

The Turkish government maintains that the campaign is connected to protecting children and families and addressing alleged criminal activity. Human rights organisations, however, argue that the arrests and restrictions represent discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and a broader restriction of civil liberties. These competing positions remain central to the debate over the government's actions.

The crackdown comes as Turkey promotes 2026 as the beginning of its “Decade of Family and Population,” a government initiative focused on family policy and demographic concerns. The latest arrests have therefore become part of a wider debate over family policy, minority rights, freedom of expression and the role of civil society in Turkey.

Source

Reuters, Amnesty International, Committee to Protect Journalists and The Guardian.

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The developments raise questions about how Turkey balances its stated objectives of protecting families and children with internationally recognised rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Human rights organisations have called for detained activists and journalists to be released, while Turkish authorities maintain that their investigation is aimed at addressing alleged criminal activity and protecting public values.