The EU expressed concern on Monday about police raids targeting Turkey’s LGBTQ community in which at least 60 people were arrested, urging Ankara to ensure respect for human rights.
Turkish police on Sunday swooped on gay bars and the homes of LGBTQ activists in raids that the authorities said were aimed at boosting traditional family values.
“The commission is concerned about the recent arrests and legal proceedings initiated against LGBTIQ+ activists, human rights associations, and businesses,” said Christian Wigand, a spokesman for the European Commission.
Sunday’s raids came a day after the accounts of more than a dozen Turkish LGBTQ organisations were blocked on X at the request of the authorities, according to a watchdog.
Brussels said the blockages as well as “allegations concerning funding of civil society organisations” were also matters of concern.
Turkey’s LGBTQ community has frequently been targeted by the government, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashing out at it as a “deviant movement” of “perverts” responsible for the falling birth rate.
As a candidate to join the European Union, Turkey “should promote and ensure respect for the human rights and dignity of all individuals, irrespective of their gender identity or sexual orientation”, Wigand said.
“Stigmatisation and discrimination are contrary to the values of the Union.”
Launched decades ago, Turkey’s efforts to join the EU have been frozen in recent years, although it remains a key trade and political partner.
LGBTQ and women’s rights activists form one of the main centres of resistance to Turkey’s Islamic-conservative government, which has been in power since 2002.
While same-sex relations are not a criminal offence in Turkey, homophobia is widespread.
