05/05/2023 | Writer: Selma Koçak
DEVA Party Leader Ali Babacan responded the question regarding LGBTI+ rights by saying “The state cannot interfere in the lifestyle of people, it has to prevent those who interfere”. On the other hand Kavaf, who came to the agenda with her homophobia during her ministry, is on the board of DEVA.
Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) Leader Ali Babacan, answered the viewer’s questions on Babala TV. Babacan also mentioned his party’s stance on LGBTI+ rights in response to a question from the audience.
Criticizing Babacan’s prevarication to the questions about LGBTI+ rights, an audience said: “You claim that you are a liberalist party, however, you are always giving evasive replies about the issue. Will the Pride Marches be possible under your government? Will sexual orientation and gender identity be protected in the Constitution? Even the İYİ Party has included it in its manifesto. Please don’t give an evasive reply such as ‘we don’t interfere in your lifestyles’.”
Babacan responded to this question based on “lifestyle” without mentioning LGBTI+ rights.
“Our party doctrine begins with fundamental freedoms like freedom of expression and press. And it goes on with law and justice. Since we consider freedom as the most important step on the way to solving problems, from this point of view, we consider the state's position regarding people's lifestyles as follows: In our opinion, the state should recognize the lifestyle of everyone as it is. The state has no duty to transform the lifestyles of people. We expect the state to prevent those who interfere in people’s lifestyles instead of interfering in.”
Selma Aliye Kavaf, is in DEVA
On the other side Selma Aliye Kavaf, one of the architects of the Justice and Development Party (AKP)’s anti-LGBTI+ policy, who said “homosexuality is an illness” during her Ministry is the person that DEVA Party trust her with social policies. Kavaf is also Republican People’s Party (CHP) Denizli MP candidate from the DEVA quota.
Tags: human rights
