Criticism of LGBTQ+ raids in Turkey is growing

Over the weekend, raids targeting LGBTQ+ activists and organizations took place in Turkey, leading to arrests and social media accounts being blocked. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the operation as part of the "Decade of Family and Population" scheme, aiming to counter Turkey's declining birthrate and promote traditional values. However, the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters have strongly criticized the government's actions.

Istanbul saw demonstrations following the raids, with Turkish LGBTQ+ associations emphasizing that it's not a crime to set up an association or advocate for rights. The women's movement joined the LGBTQ+ community in criticizing the government's actions, stating that being LGBTQ+ is not a crime. The Turkish Medical Association and other organizations also criticized the government's behavior, calling it a violation of human rights.

The legal basis for the raids was an Istanbul court ruling announced on September 13, which cited investigations into accounts that spread "obscene content and LGBTQ+ propaganda." The government defended its actions, claiming it was necessary to protect families and children. However, the arrests and blocks have been widely condemned, with critics arguing that the government is attempting to criminalize the LGBTQ+ community without enacting new laws.