Authorities continue decade-long crackdown on LGBTQ+ community with mass arrests during peaceful demonstration
New York, N.Y. – Turkish police detained more than 50 people in Istanbul on June 29, 2025, as LGBTQ+ activists attempted to hold their annual Pride march despite an official ban that has been in place since 2015.
The mass arrests mark the latest chapter in Turkey’s — Türkiye’s — escalating crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan‘s administration.
Among those detained were four lawyers from the Istanbul Bar Association’s Human Rights Center, who described the arrests as “arbitrary, unjust, and illegal” according to local reports. The detentions occurred in central Istanbul as participants gathered in the Kadıköy district, a traditional meeting point for the city’s Pride celebrations.
Government Intensifies Restrictions on LGBTQ+ Events
Authorities have banned Pride marches in Turkey’s largest city since 2015, citing public safety and security concerns. President Erdogan’s Islamist-rooted AK Party has adopted increasingly harsh rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community over the past decade. The government’s stance reflects a broader shift toward conservative policies that have drawn criticism from human rights organizations and international observers.
The Istanbul Governor’s Office has consistently refused to grant permits for Pride events, forcing organizers to operate underground or face immediate police intervention. This year’s crackdown appears particularly severe, with authorities taking preemptive action to prevent gatherings before they could begin.
Opposition politician Ahmet Şık from the Workers’ Party of Turkey confirmed the detention numbers and condemned the police response on social media. The arrests highlight the growing tensions between Turkey’s LGBTQ+ community and state authorities as the country moves further away from European Union human rights standards.
Pattern of Escalating Persecution
The 2025 detentions continue a troubling pattern that has intensified in recent years. According to the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, at least nine protests and events were violently dispersed throughout Pride Month in 2023, with a total of 205 people detained across Istanbul and other cities.
Turkey’s LGBTQ+ community once enjoyed relative freedom, with Istanbul Pride drawing tens of thousands of participants at its peak in the early 2010s. The annual celebration was considered one of the largest Pride events in the Middle East and represented Turkey’s aspirations for greater social liberalization and European Union membership.
However, the political climate has shifted dramatically. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has increasingly used anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric as a rallying point for conservative voters, particularly during election campaigns. Government officials have described LGBTQ+ rights as incompatible with Turkish values and traditions.
International Condemnation Grows
Human rights organizations have consistently condemned Turkey’s treatment of its LGBTQ+ population. Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of all detained activists and an end to the systematic persecution of sexual and gender minorities in Turkey.
The European Union, which Turkey has sought to join for decades, has repeatedly criticized the country’s human rights record. LGBTQ+ rights have become a significant obstacle in Turkey’s accession negotiations, with EU officials pointing to the Pride march bans as evidence of democratic backsliding.
United Nations human rights experts have also expressed concern about Turkey’s deteriorating record on LGBTQ+ issues. The organization’s independent experts have called on Turkish authorities to respect freedom of assembly and expression for all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Community Resilience Despite Repression
Despite facing increasing persecution, Turkey’s LGBTQ+ community continues to organize and advocate for their rights. Many activists have moved their efforts online or to private venues to avoid police intervention. Social media campaigns and underground networks have become crucial tools for maintaining community connections and organizing support.
Local LGBTQ+ organizations report that the crackdowns have paradoxically strengthened community bonds, with many people becoming more politically engaged in response to government persecution. However, activists also note that the climate of fear has forced many community members to remain closeted or consider leaving the country.
The economic impact of the government’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies has also become apparent, with several international companies and tourism organizations reconsidering their investments in Turkey.
Turkey’s reputation as a progressive destination has suffered, particularly
among younger travelers and the international business community.
Looking Forward
As Turkey approaches future elections, LGBTQ+ rights are expected to remain a contentious political issue. Opposition parties have generally supported greater protections for sexual and gender minorities, while the ruling AKP continues to frame LGBTQ+ visibility as a threat to traditional values.
The international community will be watching closely to see whether Turkey’s new leadership will reverse course on LGBTQ+ rights or continue down the path of increased persecution. For now, Turkish LGBTQ+ activists face an uncertain future as they navigate an increasingly hostile political environment while fighting to maintain their basic rights to assembly and expression.
Turkish Police Detain Dozens at Banned Istanbul Pride 2025 (June 30, 2025)
Audio Summary (75 words)
Turkish police detained over 50 LGBTQ+ activists in Istanbul on June 29, 2025, during a banned Pride march. The arrests continue a decade-long government crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights under President Erdogan’s administration. Four lawyers were among those detained in what human rights groups called arbitrary arrests. Turkey has banned Pride marches since 2015, citing security concerns, while adopting increasingly harsh rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community amid broader conservative policy shifts.
