Turkey: Police arrested at least 63 people in anti

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Published: 2026-09-14T15:46:01.363Z • Permanent link

Turkish authorities on Sunday launched raids on gay bars, nightclubs, LGBTQ association offices and activists' homes in a sweeping crackdown in several cities as part of the government's "My Family is Safe" operations, a move that has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The raids, which were carried out by police and intelligence agencies, targeted individuals and organizations linked to the LGBTQ community, including activists, politicians, and business owners. According to reports, at least 63 people were arrested in the raids, which were reportedly carried out in major cities such as Istanbul and Ankara. The government has claimed that the operations are aimed at protecting the rights of Turkish citizens, particularly children, but critics have accused the government of using the raids as a pretext to crack down on the country's LGBTQ community.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long been a vocal critic of LGBTQ rights, and his government has implemented a range of policies aimed at restricting the rights of the community. In 2019, the government passed a law that banned the use of LGBTQ symbols and language in schools, and last year, it introduced a new penal code that imposes harsh penalties for "homosexual acts" between consenting adults. The "My Family is Safe" operations are part of a broader effort by the government to consolidate power and suppress dissent, and they have sparked widespread concern among human rights groups and LGBTQ activists.

Turkish authorities have also been accused of using the raids to target specific individuals and groups, including politicians and activists who have spoken out against the government's policies towards the LGBTQ community. One such individual is Selin Sayek Bozok, a prominent LGBTQ activist who was arrested during the raids and later released on bail. Bozok has been a vocal critic of the government's policies towards the LGBTQ community, and she has spoken out against the raids, saying that they are "a clear attack on the rights of Turkish citizens".

The raids on LGBTQ organizations and activists in Turkey have significant implications for the Data Sources domain, which includes companies and research communities that rely on data and analysis to inform their work. The Turkish government's restrictions on the rights of the LGBTQ community have already had a major impact on the country's economy, with many international companies pulling out of the country due to concerns about the human rights situation. The raids on LGBTQ organizations and activists are likely to exacerbate this trend, and they could have far-reaching consequences for the country's economy and reputation.

Several major companies, including Google and Facebook, have already spoken out against the Turkish government's restrictions on the rights of the LGBTQ community, and they have called on the government to lift its ban on LGBTQ symbols and language in schools. The raids on LGBTQ organizations and activists are likely to put further pressure on these companies to take action, and they could lead to a wider boycott of Turkish goods and services. The impact on the country's research community is also likely to be significant, with many researchers and academics speaking out against the raids and calling for greater protections for LGBTQ individuals and organizations.

The raids on LGBTQ organizations and activists in Turkey are part of a broader pattern of human rights abuses in the country, which has been marked by a significant crackdown on dissent and opposition in recent years. The Turkish government has also been accused of using violence and intimidation to suppress opposition, and it has implemented a range of policies aimed at consolidating power and suppressing dissent. The "My Family is Safe" operations are part of a broader effort by the government to present itself as a champion of conservative values and to suppress the rights of minority groups.