04/03/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
In the press statement held at IHD Izmir Branch, many LGBTI+ and women's organisations, trade unions and non-governmental organisations reacted to the proposed amendments to the Civil Code and Penal Code.
LGBTI+ and women's organisations, non-governmental organisations and trade unions in Izmir made a press statement at the Human Rights Association Izmir Branch against the proposed amendments to the Civil Code and Penal Code.
Click-LGBTI+'s are targeted with amendments to the Civil Code and Penal Code
The message of DEM Party Izmir MP Burcugül Çubuk, who signed the statement, was also read during the press conference. Çubuk said, "We will bring our voices, words and actions together more. Our political existence is our most powerful tool against patriarchy and phobia.’
In the statement signed by 35 organisations, ‘You cannot silence the LGBTI+ movement. We will not disappear with your massacres and companies. We will continue to exist and resist’ . The statement called for the release of KaosGL.org Editor-in-Chief Yıldız Tar and LGBTI+ activist Erkin, who were arrested within the scope of the operations against HDK.
The full statement is as follows:
"The targeting of LGBTI+ people, hate policies and the pressure, violence, discrimination and fascism applied by the state are increasing day by day. The government has launched an all-out attack on the rights and lives of LGBTI+s. We are beaten on the streets, our rights are usurped in courts, our lives are tried to be stolen by laws. But we openly declare from here: We are here and we will never kneel! You cannot silence the LGBTI+ movement. We will not disappear with your massacres and companies. We will continue to exist and resist.
The courts, security forces, laws and politicians of this country watch the massacre of LGBTI+ people, moreover, they give way to the murderers, protect the perpetrators and openly target us. However, we call out from here: We will not allow you to play politics over our existence!
In the attacks carried out by the state in recent weeks, many human rights defenders have been arrested under the investigation of the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK). Among those arrested are Yıldız Tar and Erkin, who have been fighting at the forefront of the LGBTI+ movement for years. 30 of our friends were unlawfully arrested for resisting oppression and persecution together with the oppressed. Let everyone know this: We do not recognise these arrests! You cannot scare us by taking our friends hostage. Let Yıldız Tar, Erkin and all our other political prisoners be released immediately!
The government targets LGBTI+s by amending the Civil Code, which is already full of problems. At the same time, it is trying to create an atmosphere of fear with imprisonment by amending the Penal Code. The proposals regarding the articles in the Civil Code regarding the gender affirmation process, which are already difficult to implement, make the lives of transgender people even more difficult. They are trying to take away the rights we have gained through years of struggle to live in the body and identity we want.
In addition, there is a new proposal that points to gender norms with the phrases ‘not in accordance with biological sex and general morality’. This proposal disregards the gains of the feminist struggle and tries to bring society into line with arbitrarily determined gender norms. We do not accept this oppression that is imposed on us by calling it general morality, restricting our lives and taking away our freedom! Proposing to punish behaviour and expressions contrary to gender roles in public space with imprisonment means declaring everyone who rejects LGBTI+ existences and gender roles illegal.
You cannot erase us from the streets and squares! AKP-MHP alliance, HUDA-PAR and Yeniden Refah Party want LGBTI+'s to be destroyed within the family, murdered on the streets and their right to life to be completely usurped. They carry out hate policies through the media every day to show us as a threat. But do not forget: These hate policies will go down in history as a crime against humanity! But you will never succeed. You cannot erase us from social life with the laws you change."
"We are here, this life is ours! The streets and squares are ours!"
"Every day our friends are stabbed, beaten, dragged and killed on the streets. However, none of these murderers are punished. The perpetrators who attacked a trans woman in Bornova, Izmir were released. The perpetrators who attacked our trans woman friend Derya in Ankara were not even brought to trial. Trans women are killed every day, but not a single perpetrator is punished. These attacks are not isolated, they are systematic!
The state protects those who attack LGBTI+s. Courts, police, judiciary and media have formed a coalition of hate against LGBTI+ persons. But remember: For every friend you kill, thousands will join the struggle! We will be more organised, stronger and more determined against every hate attack.
From here we call out to all politicians, human rights defenders, workers, labourers and everyone with a conscience: If you remain silent against these crimes, you become a part of this persecution! If you do not stand by the LGBTI+ movement, you will be crushed under the state's wheel of oppression. If not now, when? If you remain silent today, who will speak tomorrow when it is your turn?
Our demands are clear: Immediate release of Yıldız Tar, Erkin and all prisoners! Withdraw the LGBTI+ hostile draft law! Hate attacks and trans murders should not go unpunished!
Those who kill LGBTI+s on the streets should not be released, the murderers should be tried! End all unlawful acts against LGBTI+'s!
This is a challenge! You cannot silence us, you cannot destroy us, you cannot intimidate us! LGBTI+‘s exist, LGBTI+’s are in resistance! LGBTI+'s will continue to exist on the streets, squares and in all areas of life in this country. Neither your arrests, nor your laws, nor your murderers can stop us! We are here, get used to it, we are not leaving!"
Signatory organisations
13. Izmir LGBTI+ Pride Week Committee, 20 November Association for Combating Hate Crimes, Colours of Resistance, Izmir LGBTI+ Family Group, Kapsama Alanı, Lavender LGBTIQ+, Minçoster TK, SOLDEP LGBTI+, Contemporary Lawyers Association Izmir Branch, Demos Research Collective, DEM Party Izmir MP Burcugül Çubuk, Revolutionary Student Union Izmir, Revolutionary Socialist Workers‘ Party Izmir Provincial Organization, Labour Movement Party Izmir Provincial Organization, Peoples’ Bridge Association, Peoples' Democratic Congress Izmir Provincial Organisation, Halkevci Women Izmir Provincial Organisation, Izmir Women's Solidarity Association, Izmir Right to Life Defenders, TODAP Izmir Branch, Women's Defence Network, Kaldıraç, Left Party Izmir Provincial Organisation, Free University Movement, Yeni Demokrat Gençlik, Partizan, Socialist Women's Movement, Socialist Refoundation Party, Umut-Sen, Socialist Youth Associations Federation, Free Young Women, New Democratic Youth, Partizan, ÖHD Izmir Branch and Izmir Women's Assemblies.
Tags: human rights, media
