Authorities in Istanbul arrested over 50 individuals, including several human rights advocates, ahead of a banned LGBTQ+ Pride march, marking a continuation of restrictions since 2015. Police blocked off areas like Taksim Square to prevent gatherings, with officials citing concerns over public order and moral values. Despite the arrests, some protesters voiced their resilience, highlighting a broader tension within Turkey where, although homosexuality is not criminalized, societal and governmental homophobia is pervasive. The ban on Istanbul Pride comes after Hungary's unsuccessful attempt to stifle its own pride events, drawing international attention to these human rights issues.
Before today's Istanbul Pride march, four of our colleagues, including members of our Human Rights Centre, along with more than 50 people, were deprived of their liberty through arbitrary, unjust, and illegal detention.
No gathering or march that threatens public order will be tolerated.
We didn't give up, we came, we believed, we are here.
The banning of Istanbul pride follows the failure of Hungary's conservative leader, Viktor Orban, to prevent his country's main pride parade from going ahead.
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