Turkish Activists Detained as Istanbul Pride Goes Ahead Despite Ban

Hundreds showed up in Istanbul to demonstrate their support of LGBTQ+ rights over the weekend, despite a ban in place to attempt to stop the event.

A sea of rainbow flags was held up by hundreds of demonstrators last Sunday despite a ban in place to stop them. Turkish activists ignored the ban in place and went ahead with their annual Pride march in Istanbul’s upmarket Nişantaşı neighbourhood after being banned from Taksim Square – the venue of 2013 anti-government protests.

Over forty activists are thought to have been detained with increased security in and around Taksim Square. At least one person has suffered a head injury while being detained, Amnesty International's Turkey office has said.

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“By ramping up anti-LGBTI rhetoric, the government has helped whip up prejudice, emboldening anti-LGBTI groups in Turkey, some of which have called for violence against LGBTI communities,” Amnesty International Europe director, Nils Muižnieks, said on Friday.

These events unfolded after conservative President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won another presidential term, meaning he will lead the country until 2028. During his election campaign, Erdogan said the LGBTQ+ people undermined family values, reiterating his government's disdain for the community. His office has attempted for years to stop the annual Istanbul Pride Parade.

Governor of the Istanbul Province, Davut Gül, said ahead of the event that it would not be allowed to go ahead, because of "threats to family life."

In response, Istanbul LGBTQ+ Pride said in a statement last week: "We don't accept this hate and denial policy.” Support from around the world for the LGBTQ+ people in Istanbul has been shown, with demonstrations taking place outside of Turkish Embassays, including one organised by Amnesty Ireland.