Turkish prosecutors seek to dissolve İstanbul LGBTQ+ with group members facing prison
25/06/2023 Istanbul, Turkey. Protesters hold up rainbow flags as they take part in the LGBTQ Pride March. (Photo by Mertcan Bukulmez / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MERTCA (Getty Images)
Turkish prosecutors have asked a court to dissolve İstanbul-based LGBTQ+ rights association SPoD, with four members facing potential prison sentences of between one and three years.
In an indictment dated 2 November, the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office asked for the Social Policy, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPoD) to be dissolved. The indictment has been accepted by the İstanbul 27th Criminal Court of First Instance, and the first hearing is set for 18 November at the İstanbul Courthouse.
Two of the defendants have been held in pretrial detention since 16 September.
According to a statement from SPoD cited by Kaos GL, prosecutors alleged the association operated outside the objectives set out in its bylaws and that its activities were contrary to law and morality. SPoD said prosecutors pointed to 15 years of its LGBTQ rights advocacy — including activity reports, events and solidarity initiatives — as the basis for seeking its dissolution.
The group defended the activities referenced in the indictment, saying: “Yes, we did all of these things. And we would do them all again!”
What are prosecutors alleging against SPoD?
SPoD said the indictment framed its work to advance equal employment opportunities for LGBTQ people as an effort to create “division within the state”. It also cited the association’s efforts to establish solidarity networks against discrimination and publicise them on social media as evidence against it.
In its response, SPoD said: “Organizing is not a crime; it is a right. Defending LGBTI+ rights, showing solidarity and coming together are not crimes,” and warned the dissolution request threatened freedom of association beyond SPoD itself.
Why the SPoD dissolution case is being watched
SPoD, established in 2011, offers legal and psychosocial support and runs campaigns against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. It is a prominent LGBTQ+ rights organisation in Turkey, known for community support and policy-focused work in İstanbul.
The move has been described as at least the third LGBTQ rights group targeted for dissolution in less than two months, following proceedings initiated in September to dissolve Muamma LGBTİ+ and Mersin 7 Renk LGBTİ+ in Mersin as part of an operation called “My Family Is Safe.”
SPoD has called on rights organisations, unions, professional associations and journalists to attend the 18 November hearing.
