04/04/2024 | Writer: Defne Güzel
While the houses of trans women are being sealed on the grounds of “looking out of the window” on Bayram Street, LGBTI+ associations and activists were targeted by politicians and pro-government media.
Violation of rights
Trans women’s houses were sealed once again on Bayram Street. Bayram Street 12 Platform made a solidarity call for trans women who live there.
· Houses were sealed on Bayram Street: The houses of trans women living on Bayram Street were sealed for three months. The justification is that trans women were “looking out of the window”. Following the incident, trans women whose houses were sealed announced that they established Bayram Street 12 Platform.
· Attacks on Newroz celebrations in İstanbul and İzmir: LGBTI+s seeking to join Newroz festivities in İstanbul and İzmir, displaying LGBTI+ flags, were subjected to attacks by groups purporting to be Kurdish nationalists. After the attack, statements were issued by the 10th İstanbul Trans Pride Week Committee, 32th Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride Week Committee, at Human Rights Association (IHD) İstanbul Branch. Members of the Direnişin Renkleri (Colors of Resistance) have talked about attacks they were subjected to during Newroz celebrations.
· Hate speech at the Okmeydanı Oral and Dental Health Hospital: Ebru Erdem, the Women’s Secretary of the Health and Social Service Workers Union (SES) Şişli Branch, reported that a doctor named Mehmet Şentürk broke two bulletin boards displaying leaflets and delivered hate speeches during a conversation with SES workplace representatives.
Targeting
Yeniden Refah Partisi (New Welfare Party) President Fatih Erbakan Erbakan targeted LGBTI+ associations. During his visits, he stated that they would “close down LGBTI+ associations”.
· Erbakan, stated that they would “close down LGBTI+ associations”: Erbakan reiterated his stance during visits to Kocaeli and Tekirdağ Kapaklı, emphasizing plans to “close down LGBTI+ associations” as soon as thay come into power. Similarly, in Tokat, he asserted that “New Welfare Party municipalities will not tolerate LGBT”.
· Yeni Akit newspaper targeted Niler Albayrak and Kaos GL Association: Yeni Akit newspaper criticized the efforts of People’s Republican Party (CHP) Avcılar Municipality Council Member Candidate Niler Albayrak and characterized the findings of the Media Monitoring Report by Kaos GL, which highlighted hate speech, as “tagging”.
· At the opening ceremony of a cultural center in Ankara, President Erdoğan declared his intent “to neutralize the impact of global heretical movements.”
Courses of the cases
In the Yeldeğirmeni case, the court dismissed the request to exclude police from the courtroom.
· Acquittal in 3rd Eskişehir Pride March case:18 participants of the Pride March in Eskişehir were acquitted during the second hearing held on March 1st.
· Yeldeğirmeni case was heard: Regarding the Yeldeğirmeni case stemming from a press statement on June 5, 2022, the first hearing took place on March 20. The court denied the lawyers’ request to remove security forces from the courtroom and adjourned the case to September 23.
For more information about the Bayram Street 12 Platform, established in solidarity with trans women whose houses were sealed, click here.
Translation: Selma Koçak
Tags: human rights
