Turkey’s main opposition proposed a pro-LGBT social inclusion bill

 

The Social Cohesion and Social Inclusion Bill defines concepts such as “social exclusion, stigmatization, disadvantaged and vulnerable social position, marginalization” and sets forth public policies to tackle them.

 

The bill, which was prepared in support of a Kaos GL program, also mentions gay and trans people facing social exclusion and marginalization based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

 

 

MP Sezgin Tanrikulu from Turkey’s main opposition CHP stated that the bill will target social groups with the highest risk of marginalization and poverty, and added:

 

“We developed this bill to protect our citizens against inequality, poverty, exclusion, marginalization; primarily those citizens from excluded groups such as the disabled, the Roma, the Kurdish, the Alawite, gay people, trans people, women with or without kids who work or want to work, and seasonal agricultural workers. We submit our Social Cohesion and Social Inclusion Bill to the Turkish Parliament’s Speaker’s Office to pave the way for these people to benefit from public services and budget of the Republic of Turkey fairly.”

 

 

The Bill requires the foundation of an institute of social inclusion which would prepare a 5-year program for social inclusion.

 

The program will focus on the following policy areas both on central and local levels:

  

a) Recognition of social and cultural identities with all diversity

b) Promotion of cultural expression and its media visibility 

c) Recognition of legal personality

d) Anti-discrimination

e) Protection from violence and hate crimes

f) Protection from stigmatization and hate speech

g) Protection of personal data

h) Access to information and communications mechanisms

i) Access to justice and provision of legal security

j) Access to complaint mechanisms

k) Guaranteeing accountability and combating impunity

l) Access to health care, inclusive health curriculum

m) Protection of right to housing, inclusive urban planning

n) Participation in workforce and employment

o) Social security and social protection

p) Promotion of active participation in decision-making processes and political representation

q) Access to education services, inclusive curriculum

r) Combating domestic violence, promotion of family solidarity

s) Protection of children and youth against the risk of cycle of exclusion

 

You can access the full text of the Bill in Turkish here.