06/01/2025 | Writer: Ebru Apalak
According to CISST Representative of LGBTI+ in Prison Erkin Akbay, the main problems are “isolation, problems of access to basic needs due to poverty and discrimination”.
Violations of the rights of LGBTI+ persons in prison in Turkey are a human rights problem awaiting a solution. The steps to be taken in this regard are important not only for LGBTI+ prisoners but also for raising human rights standards in Turkey.
The number of LGBTI+ prisoners and their distribution by provinces, districts and prisons are not included in the official data of the Ministry of Justice. According to the data of the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses of the Ministry dated December 1, 2024, there are 406 penal execution institutions in Turkey. The total capacity of these institutions is 299,42 people. According to the report “LGBTI+ Prisoners and Human Rights Violations in Turkey” submitted to the European Court of Human Rights in 2022, the number of LGBTI+ prisoners is 255.
Erkin Akbay from The Civil Society in the Penal System Association (Ceza İnfaz Sisteminde Sivil Toplum Derneği, CISST), a non-governmental organization that addresses the problems in the penal system and defends the rights of prisoners, evaluated the situation of LGBTI+ prisoners to KaosGL.org.
Isolation, discrimination and problems of access to basic needs
In Turkey, policies that address the special needs of LGBTI+ persons in prison, who are among disadvantaged groups, are not implemented. LGBTI+ persons face many problems, discriminatory, homophobic and transphobic attitudes and treatment in prisons. Erkin Akbay, LGBTI+ in Prison Representative of the Civil Society in the Penal Execution System Association (CISST), listed the human rights violations that LGBTI+ prisoners are exposed to as follows:
“Being kept in isolation, rejection of transfer requests, problems in accessing basic needs due to poverty, discrimination and isolation in ward placements.”
There are LGBTI+ wards in prisons in many cities in Turkey, including Istanbul, Rize and Tekirdağ, but not all prisons with LGBTI prisoners have LGBTI+ wards.
Akbay said, “LGBTI+ prisoners should be kept in wards dedicated to them according to the legal regulation. However, most of these prisoners are kept in isolation on the grounds of security and lack of capacity.”
LGBTI+ persons in prison cannot enjoy their rights to video calls and meetings with their partners
Prisoners have difficulties in meeting with their families and relatives on grounds such as security and isolation. Akbay spoke about this as follows:
“LGBTI+ prisoners cannot benefit from their right to video calls due to lack of security and capacity in the institution where they are held, and because they are kept in isolation instead of LGBTI+ wards. As an extension of the non-recognition of marriage equality, LGBTI+ prisoners cannot benefit from the right to meet with their partners.”
Clothing and personal care products are not given to LGBTI+ prisoners
Akbay said that prisoners have problems in accessing clothes and personal care items that are appropriate for their sexual orientation and gender identity, and made the following statements regarding the practices of prison administrations:
“Not keeping clothes and personal care items that are deemed inappropriate by the administration due to gender identity and sexual orientation in the internal and external canteen, and not delivering the cargo to LGBTI+s for the same reason are among the violations of rights we observe in the field.”
In Turkey, policies to create conditions for LGBTI+ prisoners to spend their execution period in accordance with human rights and dignity are not developed. Akbay drew attention to the need for legal regulations for LGBTI+ prisoners:
“There is a need for legal regulations that take into account the special needs of LGBTI+ prisoners and eliminate violations of rights in execution institutions established on a binary gender system. The structure of execution institutions should be changed to include LGBTI+ prisoners; legal regulations regarding the body adaptation process that starts and continues in execution institutions should be implemented.”
No psychological support for imprisoned LGBTI+ prisoners
LGBTI+ persons in prisons are not provided with psychological and social service support. LGBTI+s who are subjected to violence in prison apply to CISST. Prisoners who have been subjected to a violation of their rights or who want to learn about their rights can apply to CISST's Prisoner Counseling Line at 0216 4505004 between 11:00-17:00 on weekdays.
Tags: human rights
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