116 organizations, including the International Amnesty Organization, KESK, IHD, TİHV, KAOS GL Association, made a joint statement regarding the 11th Judicial Package draft. The statement emphasized the importance of everyone being able to live a life worthy of human dignity and fully enjoy all human rights, including life, freedom, and security, as well as rights of LGBTQI+ individuals. The authorities are urged to immediately stop discriminatory and stigmatizing actions against LGBTQI+ individuals.
The joint statement included organizations such as the International Amnesty Organization, Confederation of Public Employees Trade Unions (KESK), Human Rights Association (IHD), Turkey Human Rights Foundation (TİHV), and KAOS GL Association. The statement addressed the draft law known as the ’11th Judicial Package,’ which, if passed, would criminalize the public visibility of LGBTQI+ identities, interfere with the private lives of LGBTQI+ individuals, and hinder access to essential gender affirmation processes. It also introduces a new article that opens the way for imprisonment of individuals undergoing any medical procedures and healthcare professionals carrying out these interventions, contrary to existing laws.
These proposed legal changes, if presented to parliament and approved in the general assembly, would overtly violate Turkey’s international human rights obligations and further deepen widespread discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals. Moreover, it would restrict and criminalize individuals advocating for LGBTQI+ rights or reporting on LGBTQI+ issues.
“PART OF A DECADE-LONG OPPRESSION”
These draft changes are part of the authorities’ decade-long oppression of LGBTQI+ rights in various ways. Since 2015, authorities have been imposing general bans on Peace Walks, violating freedom of assembly and expression rights, and the non-discrimination prohibition. Law enforcement officials systematically employ unlawful force against peaceful protestors and impose arbitrary arrests. LGBTQI+ events such as exhibitions and meetings are prohibited.
Some politicians and high-ranking government officials label LGBTQI+ individuals as a ‘threat to the family institution and public order,’ making discriminatory and stigmatizing remarks against them, creating a hostile environment for LGBTQI+ individuals and their allies.”
“LEGAL CHANGES CRIMINALIZING MUST NOT BE IMPLEMENTED”
The joint statement calling for the non-passage of the draft included the following demands: We, the undersigned civil society and human rights organizations, express our firm opposition to these proposed legal changes. Everyone should be able to live a life worthy of human dignity and fully benefit from all human rights, including life, freedom, and security. Therefore, we reiterate our commitment to protecting LGBTQI+ rights, advocating for human rights, and standing by everyone who supports diversity and human rights.
We call on the authorities to immediately halt discriminative and stigmatizing actions against LGBTQI+ individuals. The authorities must take positive steps to combat established gender norms and institutional homophobia and transphobia, as documented by human rights organizations for many years, including law enforcement officers and other public officials. As signatory organizations, we are committed to defending LGBTQI+ rights and stand in unity and solidarity.”
