Türkiye: UN Experts Alarmed by Crackdown on LGBTI Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society

Summary

On 13 October 2026, independent United Nations human rights experts denounced a severe crackdown on human rights defenders and LGBTI organisations in Türkiye. According to an OHCHR press release issued the same day from Geneva, the measures include criminal, administrative and financial steps that unduly restrict the rights to freedom of expression and association and obstruct legitimate human rights work.

The experts called on Türkiye to end the harassment of LGBTI human rights defenders and organisations and to ensure a safe and enabling environment in which they can exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association without fear of arrest, intimidation, stigmatisation or criminalisation. This report summarises the experts' statement, the reported features of the operation, detention related concerns and the relevant international standards.

Background: The My Family Is Safe Operation

According to the OHCHR release, since 12 September 2026 at least 44 human rights defenders have reportedly been detained or arrested in the framework of the so called My Family Is Safe operation. Security forces have also searched private homes and offices, seizing digital equipment and blocking websites and social media accounts belonging to LGBTI persons or organisations defending their rights.

The experts cited figures that at least 117 individuals were initially detained, with a reported 124 persons later detained during protests against the operation. The Minister of Justice has announced judicial measures against more than 160 individuals and 20 associations and businesses, according to the same release.

The experts demanded an immediate end to the so called My Family Is Safe operation.

The Experts' Assessment

The experts said they were concerned that investigations reportedly invoke offences relating to obscenity, morality and prostitution, alongside official statements describing associations as promoting LGBT and immorality and the framing of LGBTI persons as a threat to families.

They stated that morality based arguments cannot justify discriminatory restrictions against LGBTI persons or those defending their rights. Public officials, they said, should refrain from using stigmatising rhetoric and suggesting that legitimate advocacy is criminal or immoral.

The experts also questioned financial investigations reportedly being conducted into some affected organisations. They said the receipt of international funding is permitted under Turkish law and does not constitute evidence of criminal conduct. They expressed concern that these investigations have reportedly publicised donors' identities, violating their right to privacy and potentially deterring future donations. The ability of human rights defenders and associations to seek, receive and use resources, they said, is an integral part of their human rights.

The experts characterised the instrumental use of criminal law to punish or limit human rights work as a misuse of the justice system that entails human rights violations.

Detention Conditions and Due Process Concerns

The OHCHR statement said the experts were alarmed about reports of detention conditions, particularly the risks faced by LGBTI persons. Those reports included allegations of discrimination and harassment based on HIV status and gender identity, unsanitary conditions, solitary confinement, humiliating searches, inadequate access to healthcare and medication and obstacles to due process guarantees.

The experts demanded the immediate release of persons detained solely for their legitimate human rights work. In the interim, they called on authorities to ensure access to adequate healthcare and medication, legal counsel and effective judicial safeguards, to guarantee freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and to fully protect the physical and psychological integrity of all detainees.

Calls on the Government of Türkiye

The experts urged the Government to end criminal and financial investigations targeting LGBTI persons without a clear legal basis, return equipment not demonstrably required for lawful investigations and work with the platforms concerned to lift digital restrictions that do not meet human rights standards. They said authorities must protect confidential information and ensure that LGBTI and HIV related organisations can continue legitimate activities free from intimidation, retaliation, stigmatisation or interference.

According to OHCHR, the experts are in contact with the Government of Türkiye about this issue.

Mandates of the Experts

The statement was issued by Andrea Bolaños Vargas, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Graeme Reid, Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Leopoldo Maldonado Gutiérrez, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Matthew Gillett of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; members of the Working Group on Discrimination against women and girls; and members of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights.

OHCHR noted that Special Procedures experts are appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council, serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organisation, including OHCHR and the UN.

Relevant International Standards

The rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association are protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Declaration on Human Rights Defenders affirms that everyone has the right to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to seek, receive and utilise resources for that purpose.

International human rights law requires that any restriction on these rights be provided by law, pursue a legitimate aim and be necessary and proportionate. Restrictions based on discriminatory grounds, including sexual orientation and gender identity, are incompatible with equality and non discrimination obligations. Protections against arbitrary detention, torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to due process and adequate medical care in detention, also apply.

Taskforce Note

The Global HR Taskforce will continue to monitor developments in Türkiye relating to the My Family Is Safe operation, including any releases of detainees, changes to investigations targeting associations, restoration of digital access and further communications between UN Special Procedures and the Government. Sources: OHCHR press release, "Türkiye: UN experts alarmed by crackdown on LGBTI human rights defenders and civil society organisations," 13 October 2026; International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Declaration on Human Rights Defenders).