06/08/2024 | Writer: Defne Güzel
The health data of M.E., a Syrian trans woman living in Adana, was first exposed, leading to her deportation from Turkey, where she was subsequently murdered. In a separate incident, E.Ş., who resides in Izmir, was attacked with a knife in her home in Alsancak. While attacks against transgender people are becoming more prevalent, the government is focusing on censorship and bans.
Violation of rights
A refugee trans woman deported from Turkey was killed in Syria. LGBTI+ rights activist Iris Mozalar was arrested for standing against attacks on refugees. Censorship and bans continued.
Deported refugee M.E. was murdered: The HIV status of M.E., a Syrian trans woman living in Adana, was disclosed on social media on 5 July. Following the deportation decision about M. E., Adana LGBTI+ Solidarity announced that M.E. was murdered in Syria within the scope of the statement they made on July 27.
Knife attack in İzmir: E.Ş., a trans woman, was attacked by a man in her home in Alsancak on July 13. E.Ş. suffered nearly 50 stab wounds, 27 of which were deemed fatal.
LGBTI+ rights activist İris Mozalar was arrested: Mozalar was arrested by the 9th Criminal Court of Peace under the article 216 of Penal Code of Turkey; “publicly provoking hatred or hostility in one section of the public against another section.” The reason for Mozalar’s detention relates to her social media posts following attacks on Syrian-owned businesses and vehicles in Kayseri on June 30. In her posts, Mozalar had stated that she was against attacks against refugees. Mozalar was arrested on July 11 and was released in the small hours on July 12.
A trans woman was attacked by her neighbors in İzmir: A trans woman faced transphobic and homophobic attacks from her neighbors. Following these assaults, S.E. reported the incidents to the police and obtained a restraining order against her aggressors. Having left her own house, S.E. is now renting in another district in the city.
Actress Meli Bendeli was ousted from the venue: In an incident that took place in Ankara, the waiters, acting on the directive of the business owner, ousted the actress from the venue.
Bornova Private Alfa Medical Centre disclosed private health information: E.Y, a trans woman residing in Izmir, revealed that her private health information was improperly disclosed during a surgery at Bornova Private Alfa Medical Centre.
The Ministry of Health dismissed its staff from civil service: The Ministry has decided that its personnel shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the civil service claiming “leaving the job without a graduation or an excuse accepted by the institutions and this abandonment continues for 10 days without interruption”. U., who worked as a medical secretary, said, “My supervisors were pressuring me not to go around, stay away from people as much as possible, don't let the patients see me.” SES Healthcare Workers Union applied to the court for the cancellation of the transaction.
Censorship on the Physicians’ Pledge at AFSU: During the graduation ceremony for the 17th term graduates of Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Faculty of Medicine, the phrase “sexual orientation” was censored from the Physicians’ Pledge. The incident was reported in a printed newspaper.
Antalya LGBTİ+ Pride March: Antalya Governorship banned all protests and events across the province between July 1-15, for 15 days. The Governorship targeted the Pride Month events within the scope of the ban order. The Pride March, planned to be held on July 14, was attacked by the police. As a result of the attack, 4 people including 3 lawyers were detained.
RTÜK imposed a sanction on “Sausage Party”: Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), which had previously launched an investigation into the animation “Sausage Party: Foodtopia”, imposed an administrative fine at the upper limit and removed the production from the catalogue. The animation was broadcast on Amazon Prime.
Doludizgin Association sugarcoated torture: The president of the anti-LGBTI+ association defended the so-called conversion therapies, which are described as torture, with a statement.
Olympic censorship by TRT: Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) cut the broadcast after LGBTI+ visibility continued at the opening of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The exhibition “Look Back – Turn Back” was banned: The 10th Trans Pride Week Exhibition Collective’s exhibition “Look Back – Turn Back: History of the Trans Movement in Turkey” was banned by Beyoğlu District Governorship. Making a press statement regarding the ban was also banned within the scope of the same order.
Publicization of images related to private life: The right to privacy was violated by the publicization of an image allegedly belonging to Mustafa Sarıgül.
The artist publicized the private life of her make-up artist: Bülent Ersoy, who appeared on screen with the Dünya Güzellerim (World Beauties) Program, exposed the private life of her make-up artist.
Targeting
In July, the government’s agenda centered on the Olympics openings. While the President stated that he would complain about LGBTI+ individuals to the Pope, the Patriotic Party called for a propaganda ban and spread hatred.
AKP Extended Provincial Heads Meeting: At the meeting held in Kızılcahamam, President Erdoğan reiterated his message of “fight against LGBT.”
The Turkish Grand National Assembly Child Rights Subcommittee targeted LGBTI+s: The Committee, targeted associations working in the field of LGBTI+ rights in their report on children affected by the 6 February earthquakes.
Beşiktaş Municipality post: After the rainbow flag previously hung on the municipality building was circulated on social media, the municipality shared a post on its social media account claiming that this photo was outdated and aimed at “social peace”.
Call from the Patriotic Party to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey: Meltem Ayvalı, Chairperson of the Party’s Pioneer Women, drew attention to the proposed law prepared by Doğu Perinçek. The hate proposal criminalizes LGBTI+ organizations.
The President spoke at the Local Governments Consultation and Evaluation Meeting: At the meeting held in Kızılcahamam, he said that the opposition was “decorating municipal buildings with LGBT rags”.
Cübbeli, once again targeted LGBTI+s: The person known as Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca claimed that “when a homosexual person dies, they will be transformed into a pig.”
Reactions to the Olympic statement: After the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in France, the Diyanet referred to the visibility of LGBTI+ rights and individuals as “global centers of mischief.” The Armenian Patriarch of Turkey, Sahak, described the situation as “outrageous.” Vatan Party Chairperson Perinçek suggested that LGBTI+ organizations should be subject to criminal sanctions. Additionally, the President mentioned his intention to call the Pope to express his concerns about LGBTI+ people.
Hatred backed by the General Directorate for Civil Society Relations: During the panel titled “The Role of the Media in the Fight against Drugs,” organized in Çorum with the support of the General Directorate of Civil Society Relations, it was claimed that LGBTI+ people target the family structure.
Courses of the cases
The verdict came out regarding the Derin S. Case. The defendant was sentenced to life imprisonment. And LGBTI+ activist on trial due to attending 2nd Pride March were acquitted.
The verdict came out in Derin S. case: The prosecutor revised his opinion, recognizing the offence as an intentional killing committed against a woman. Defendant Ali Tanyeri was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Acquittal in the 2nd Ankara Pride March case: The final hearing of the lawsuit filed against the 2nd Pride March held in Ankara took place on July 5th. The court acquitted 52 LGBTI+ activists on trial.
LGBTI+ activists who made a press statement in front of Süreyya Opera House were charged: A lawsuit was filed against 11 LGBTI+ activists who made a press statement in front of Süreyya Opera House on February 10, 2024. During the press statement titled “For those we lost in the earthquake,” held as part of Istanbul Trans Pride Week, police attacked the demonstrators. Istanbul Trans Pride Week Committee announced on that a lawsuit had been filed against 11 LGBTI+ activists.
The attacker was released: Trans woman N. was assaulted at an entertainment venue in Ankara in March 2024. The attacker, E.B., who was arrested during the investigation, was released at the hearing held in July.
Translation: Selma Koçak
Tags: human rights, women, media, life, family, health, hiv
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