Defending human dignity is not a crime!

The Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN) is deeply alarmed by the coordinated raids, mass detentions, searches, seizure of electronic devices, and restrictions imposed on the websites and social media accounts of LGBTI+ organisations and human rights activists across Türkiye.

Among the organisations targeted is Kaos GL, a full member of SWAN and a long-standing human rights organisation. The reported targeting of members of its governing and oversight bodies, the search of its office, and the seizure of its equipment are not only actions against individual activists. They directly threaten the ability of an entire civil society organisation to function and continue its legitimate human rights work. We are also deeply concerned by reports that numerous activists and representatives of civil society organisations have been detained, and that the work, funding and public communications of LGBTI+ organisations are being presented as potentially criminal activities.

Türkiye is legally bound by the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These instruments protect the rights to liberty and security, privacy, freedom of expression, freedom of association, access to justice and freedom from discrimination. The current actions also raise serious concerns under the principles of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted through UN General Assembly Resolution 53/144, which recognises the right of individuals and organisations to promote and protect human rights without intimidation or retaliation.

We call on the Turkish authorities to:

• Disclose the specific legal grounds and evidence supporting each detention and investigation;
• Immediately release anyone detained solely because of their peaceful human rights work, identity or association with LGBTI+ civil society;
• End the use of vague concepts such as “morality” and “family values” to stigmatise or criminalise legitimate human rights activities;
• Ensure that lawful civil society work, international cooperation and funding are not treated as criminal conduct;
• Ensure that programmes protecting the health, safety and human rights of sex workers are not misrepresented as promoting or facilitating prostitution;
• Protect the dignity, safety, and physical and psychological well-being of everyone detained; and
• Restore access to the digital platforms of organisations and activists whose freedom of expression has been restricted without a necessary and proportionate legal basis.

We urge international human rights bodies, diplomatic missions and civil society organisations to closely monitor the situation, raise these concerns directly with the Turkish authorities, and support the activists and organisations affected.

Today, our message is simple: human rights defenders are not criminals. LGBTI+ people are not a threat to families or society. Supporting the human rights of sex workers does not promote prostitution. Solidarity is not a crime. Speaking up for equality causes is not a crime. Defending human dignity is not a crime.

SWAN stands firmly with Kaos GL, with LGBTI+ civil society in Türkiye, and with every human rights activist facing intimidation, detention or criminalisation for their peaceful work.

Source portal swannet.org