By Emma Alejandro
Staff Writer
Raids beginning on Sept. 13 in Turkey have targeted LBGTQ+ organizations as well as gay bars, venues, offices and the homes of queer activists, according to The Guardian.
Turkish authorities detained over 150 individuals in over 15 provinces including Istanbul and Ankara in what officials described as an “obscenity” investigation, reported by Reuters. Police focused on groups long involved in community organizing and HIV support.
According to Human Rights Watch, the warrants listed 162 individuals, 9 organizations and 13 companies, marking one of the largest coordinated actions against LGBTQ+ civil society in Turkey in recent years. The source noted that the raids coincided with a new campaign launched by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who framed the operation as a defense of “family values.”
By Sept. 20, the number of arrests rose to 200, including protestors who gathered in Istanbul to denounce the raids, according to Courthouse News. Many of those detained were activists who attempted to document police actions or publicly challenge the government’s narrative.
The Washington Post reported that homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, but LGBTQ+ groups have faced increasing pressure under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration. The government has frequently used charges such as “obscenity,” “prostitution” and “drug activity” to justify raids.
Amnesty International, with at least one member arrested in the raids, criticized the raids as a politically motivated attack on civil society. “This crackdown is not making families safer,” said Amnesty International USA Executive Director Nadia Daar, adding that “homosexuality is not a crime in Turkey.”
The Human Rights Association condemned the operation, calling it “a political attempt to force society into a monolithic family model and purge LGBTI+ and independent civil society under the guise of protecting the family and children,” as reported by PBS NewsHour.
International organizations also criticized the arrests. Stockholm Center for Freedom reported that the U.N.urged Turkey to release individuals detained arbitrarily, stating that the crackdown violated international human rights standards and risked escalating discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.
HIV support groups were among the organizations targeted, raising concerns about the disruption of essential health services. Several clinics reported confiscated documents, seized computers and staff members detained for questioning, creating uncertainty for patients who rely on these programs, according to PBS NewsHour.
According to The Guardian, activists said the raids were timed to coincide with growing political rhetoric portraying LGBTQ+ people as a threat to national identity.
The government has increasingly used language linking queer communities to “moral corruption,” a framing that rights groups say encourages hostility and legitimizes police action .
Human Rights Watch stated that the raids strike at the rule of law, noting that many detainees were denied access to lawyers during the initial hours of questioning. HRW also reported that some individuals were held without clear charges, raising concerns about arbitrary detention.
As mentioned by The New York Times, the crackdown follows years of restrictions on Pride marches with bans on LGBTQ+ events and heightened surveillance of civil society groups. Analysts told the Times that the raids represent a significant escalation, signaling the government’s intent to further limit public expression of queer identity.
The Washington Post reported that protestors in Istanbul attempted to gather near Taksim Square but were dispersed by police using shields and batons. Several demonstrators were detained for “resisting officers,” though witnesses said they were peacefully assembled.
According to Courthouse News, lawyers representing detainees said they expect lengthy legal proceedings, as many of the charges fall under broad categories that allow extended pre‑trial detention. Attorneys also noted that the raids have created fear among activists, with some going into hiding.
Stockholm Center for Freedom indicated that international pressure may continue to build as human rights organizations call for transparency and accountability. The U.N.’s statement emphasized that Turkey must uphold its obligations under international law, including protections for freedom of expression and association.
PBS NewsHour reported that despite the arrests, LGBTQ+ groups vowed to continue their work, stating that community support networks are essential in a climate of rising hostility. Activists alike said the raids would not deter them from advocating for safety, equality and access to health.
