11/06/2025 | Writer: Yıldız Tar
The police responded to a question about the police blocking rainbow flags and colors at almost every demonstration, claiming that there was no discrimination and no restrictions.
Kaos GL Association made an application for access to information regarding the prevention of rainbow flags and pennants by the police during demonstrations. The Association's application to the Presidential Communication Center (CİMER) received a response from the Security Department of the General Directorate of Security.
In its response, the police reminded that the right to assembly and demonstration is guaranteed by the Constitution and claimed that there is no discrimination against the organizers of meetings and demonstrations. The Police Department's response included the following statements:
“In our country, all kinds of peaceful meetings and demonstration marches are organized in an environment of peace and security within the framework of the stated legislation, without any discrimination against the organizers, and as a requirement of the rule of law, there are no restrictions other than those specified in the legislation.”
In its application to CIMER, Kaos GL Association reminded that law enforcement officers prevented them from participating in demonstrations with flags and pennants symbolizing rainbow colors in events such as May 1 and March 8; and asked whether the Police had given such a circular or instruction to the officers on duty.
LGBTI+ symbols are systematically prevented in public demonstrations
According to Kaos GL Association's human rights report for 2024, “The rainbow flag, the symbol of LGBTI+ existence, draws attention as a frequent justification for rights violations”. The report explains this situation as follows:
“The rainbow flag is sometimes used as evidence in criminal investigations, sometimes as a justification for administrative investigations, sometimes as a reason for administrative fines, but definitely as a pretext for violations...”
The report, which also includes a call to end the de facto bans of law enforcement on means of expression that symbolize LGBTI+ existence, such as rainbow flags and trans flags, emphasizes that a person was detained for carrying a rainbow flag during the marathon in Istanbul and that rainbow flags were prevented in almost every social demonstration throughout the year.
At the 8th of March demonstration in Mersin this year, the police blocked the Muamma LGBTI+ Association, saying that they would not allow rainbow flags, and detained an activist wearing a rainbow-colored headscarf by pulling it off her head.
Tags: human rights
