08/04/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
In its statement regarding the human rights violations during the March 8th Feminist Night March, the Commission said, "We stand by all those who resist for rights, law, and justice in all cities and streets, and by all students against oppression."
Photo by: Yeni Çizgi Haber
The Human Rights Association (IHD) Mersin Branch LGBTI+ Commission held a press statement on Sunday, April 6, regarding the human rights violations that occurred during the Mersin Feminist Night March.
The statement was read by Commission member Utku Kutbay. The statement reminded that police confiscated banners related to LGBTI+ rights, the Law No. 6284, and the Istanbul Convention. Additionally, it was noted that before the march, the Muamma LGBTI+ Association was surrounded by the police, and the identities of those present at the association were confiscated.
“We stand by those who resist against oppression in all cities and by students.”
“While poverty and corruption make life unbearable, and human rights violations and attacks surround our lives, LGBTI+ individuals are constantly brought to the agenda and targeted. Policies that disregard the rights of LGBTI+ individuals, who face discrimination in every area from housing to education, health to employment, are being produced. LGBTI+ rights are human rights! The feminist struggle and the LGBTI+ struggle stand side by side, arm in arm, against patriarchy!
The power of the women’s and LGBTI+ networks established in this city and across the country, meeting with tens of thousands in the feminist struggle, cannot be destroyed. Peaceful protest and action are rights, and we stand by this right. Our solidarity and struggle will continue in the face of mistreatment, insults, and violence. We are here together against those who seek to condemn us to patriarchal, abusive, anti-LGBTI+, and unequal families, to male-dominated order, to capitalism, to war, and to oppression! We are here, get used to it, we are everywhere, and we are not going anywhere! We do not abandon the nights, the streets, or the squares!
We are also part of the struggle of every citizen participating in the actions defending the will of the people that have been ongoing for days. We stand by those who resist for rights, law, and justice in all cities, streets, and by all students. We know that LGBTI+ individuals, women, youth, workers, and journalists defending free press will not leave the streets, and we support this honorable struggle in every field.
Because there is no liberation alone, either we all rise together, or none of us!”
What happened?
This year, the 11th Feminist Night March in Mersin was organized, where women and LGBTI+ individuals gathered on Kushimoto Street. However, the march was blocked and attempted to be stopped by the police.
Before the march, the police had refused permission for the event, citing "a search will be conducted" as the reason; women and LGBTI+ individuals protested this decision.
While the police continued their blockades, Muamma LGBTI+ Association attempted to enter the area with a rainbow flag. However, the police did not allow the flag to be carried and blocked the association members from leaving their building. After public outcry, the association members were allowed into the area, but their banners and signs were thrown into the trash.
In response, a trans woman used the rainbow flag as a headscarf to enter the area. However, she was soon attempted to be detained by the police. During the scuffle, the women continued their resistance, saying, "We will not continue the march without the release of the detained trans woman."
Tags: human rights, life
