18/02/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
“Yıldız Tar is a journalist and human rights defender who works in the field of LGBTI+ and human rights, particularly fighting against discrimination and hate attacks targeting LGBTI+ community.”
Kaos GL Association reacted to the detention of 52 people, including KaosGL.org Editor-in-Chief Yıldız Tar, in an Istanbul-based operation this morning. The full statement of the association is as follows:
“Within the scope of an operation based in Istanbul, Yıldız Tar, Editor-in-Chief of KaosGL.org, was detained in Ankara and taken to the Counterterrorism Branch of the Ankara Police Department. This development reflects the increasing political pressure and threats against journalists and human rights defenders in Türkiye.
Journalism is not a crime
Both Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights oblige states to protect freedom of expression.
Freedom of expression encompasses the right to seek, receive, and impart all kinds of information and ideas. A free press and civil society—guarantees of any democratic society—protect the public’s right to information and ensure the accountability of those in power.
Yıldız Tar is a human rights defender
All states, including the Republic of Türkiye, are responsible for preventing attacks on human rights defenders and journalists, prosecuting perpetrators, and protecting victims.
Yıldız Tar is a journalist and human rights defender who works in the field of LGBTI+ and human rights, particularly fighting against discrimination and hate attacks targeting LGBTI+ community. Being able to carry out their efforts in a safe and free environment is indispensable for a democratic social order.
Political pressures and threats
During the AKP government, pressures and threats against human rights defenders and journalists have intensified. Unlawful and arbitrary detentions, investigations, arrests, and trials have become commonplace.
Journalists like Yıldız Tar, especially those who defend LGBTI+ rights and report on this subject, are targeted and kept under pressure. This situation constitutes a serious violation not only of freedom of expression but also of freedom of association.
Yıldız Tar must be released immediately
As Kaos GL Association, we demand the immediate release of Yıldız Tar.
We once again underline that we will resolutely continue our struggle to ensure the safety of journalists and human rights defenders, to prevent impunity for attacks, and to protect freedom of expression.
It must not be forgotten that the active presence of a free press and civil society safeguards access to human rights for everyone, not only the LGBTI+ community, and secures the societal awareness necessary for the realization of justice. A Turkey where the public’s right to information is respected and where diverse voices can be expressed on an equal footing is our shared aspiration.”
What happened?
Many members of EMEP, SYKP and HDK were detained in house raids organised in Istanbul in the early morning. Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office announced that there is a detention warrant for 60 people.
KaosGL.org Editor-in-Chief Yıldız Tar is among those detained. Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) announced that Tar, who was detained in Ankara, is expected to be taken to Istanbul. It is learnt that Tar is banned from seeing lawyer for 24 hours as part of the investigation.
MLSA made the following statement:
‘It is learned that journalist Yıldız Tar, who was detained in Ankara through an Istanbul based operation, was taken to Ankara TEM. Tar is expected to be brought to Istanbul.’
Among those detained are journalists Ercüment Akdeniz and Elif Akgül, artist Pınar Aydınlar, EMEP Istanbul Provincial Chair Sema Barbaros, Green Left Party MYK member Naci Sönmez, DEM Party MYK member Mehmet Saltoğlu Semiha Şahin, SYKP PM members Halit Elçi and Ahmet Saymadi, and ecology rights activist Ümit Şahin.
Tags: human rights, media
