04/11/2022 | Writer: Yıldız Tar
The Institution decided that there exists no violation of human rights on September 8.
Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye, notorious for producing hate speeches against the LGBTI+ community and rejecting the applications of LGBTI+s without even reviewing them, has once again determined no act of violation in response to an LGBTI+ prisoner’s application.
The prisoner applied to the institution as their being in solitary confinement was against the European Convention on Human Rights. Previously the prisoner, during their confinement in Manisa, had experienced a similar violation and demanded a ward for LGBTIs. The officials in Manisa Prison replied positively to the demand. After their transport to Afyon, the prisoner applied to the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye presenting the previous decision as a precedent. Having negotiated with the prison officials in Afyon, the institution has reacted negatively to the application.
On their review of the application, the institution has stated that the officials in Afyon prison see a ward for LGBTIs as a security threat.
The Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye decided that there exists no violation of human rights on September 8.
The discriminatory practices of the Institution thus far
A discrimination incident experienced by a trans person at a hotel has been reported to Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye and the report has been dismissed on the grounds that the institution does not have the authority to investigate charges of discrimination based on “sexual identity”.
The Institution has also turned down the application reporting against the statements of Davut Gül, the mayor of Gaziantep, targeting the LGBTI community. Yet again, the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye has claimed that discrimination against LGBTI persons is not considered in the context of discrimination.
Translation: Kerem Selçuk
Tags: human rights
