19/05/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
Lawsuits were filed three years after the METU Pride March and two years after the Izmir RTUK protest. LGBTI+ activists, who were detained under police violence, will be tried on charges of “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations.”
Left photo by: UniKuir, from the METU Pride March
Right photo by: Direnişin Renkleri, from the RTUK protest
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has filed a lawsuit three years later against 37 people who were detained during the Pride March held at METU on June 10, 2022.
As reported by UniKuir, the indictment states that law enforcement issued a warning to students who carried “flags representing LGBTI+” and chanted slogans, but that they continued the march despite the warning. Among the slogans mentioned are: “Where are you, my love? I’m here, my love!” and “Don’t stay silent, shout it out, queers exist!” LGBTI+ activists will be tried on charges of “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations.”
METU Pride March: What happened?
Three days before the METU Pride March on June 10, the university administration announced via email to students and alumni on June 7, 2022, that the march would not be permitted. Despite the ban, the march began at the scheduled time. Police attacked the Pride March in front of the Central Engineering building and detained students using excessive force. The 37 LGBTI+ activists who were taken into custody were released in the early hours of the following day.
A lawsuit was also filed two years later over the RTUK protest!
One of the peaceful demonstrations for which legal action was taken years later was the RTUK protest organized by Direnişin Renkleri in September 2023. A lawsuit was filed two years after the protest.
Direnişin Renkleri announced the lawsuit on their social media accounts with the following statement:
“In September 2023, we were subjected to police violence and detained while trying to hold a press statement in Izmir after RTUK approved a homophobic public service announcement. Two years later, a lawsuit was filed on May 14. The first hearing will be held on October 9. We will not be intimidated by lawsuits, pressure, or detentions. We will hold those who target our queer existence accountable! Our constitutional rights cannot be taken away!”
RTUK protest: What happened?
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) approved on September 6 a public service announcement related to the “Stop LGBT Propaganda” event organized by the Büyük Aile Vakfı (Great Family Foundation), which targets LGBTI+ people.
RTÜK member İlhan Taşçı stated on X (Twitter) that the public service announcement was approved by a majority vote, and the council justified this decision by saying, “If this trend is not stopped, there will be no children and youth to celebrate April 23 and May 19!”
Direnişin Renkleri held a protest in front of the RTUK Regional Directorate at Pasaport; police attacked the LGBTI+ activists citing a governor’s ban. At least 10 people were detained.
Tags: human rights, life
