17/02/2026 | Writer: Kaos GL
Fifteen LGBTI+ associations in Türkiye issued a joint statement following reports that anti-LGBTI+ provisions previously removed from judicial reform packages could be brought back to the agenda as a separate bill.
Reports that anti-LGBTI+ provisions, which were previously brought up during the 10th and 11th Judicial Reform Packages and withdrawn following public backlash, will be resubmitted to parliament as a separate bill have drawn reactions from civil society. In a joint statement, 15 LGBTI+ associations said: “Do not even think about bringing back the anti-LGBTI+ law that was removed from the judicial package.”
In the statement, the associations emphasized that although these provisions had previously been removed from judicial packages, the threat had not passed. The statement said: “Our warning that the removal of the articles from the package could be only a postponement is unfortunately being confirmed by news circulated to the press. The government aims to achieve through a separate law what it could not do through the judicial packages.”
“Its implementation has begun before the law is passed”
One of the most striking points in the statement was the finding that de facto pressure has increased even though the legal regulation has not yet been enacted.
LGBTI+ associations described the current situation with the following examples:
“The political power is acting through the judiciary and law enforcement as if this law has already passed. The closure decision against the Young LGBTI+ Association, the lawsuits filed against association administrators and against Defne Güzel, Chair of the Board of the May 17 Association, detention processes targeting influencers, and the gender transition processes coming to a virtual halt are only some of these practices.”
“This is not only our issue, it is everyone’s issue”
Calling on all segments of society to stand in solidarity against a possible “hate law,” the organizations recalled their “Merhaba Canım” campaign launched during the 11th Judicial Package process:
“This is about ensuring that a child will not be bullied tomorrow for being ‘different,’ that a neighbor will not be stigmatized because of their identity, and that all of us can trust fair laws. It is not only us who are being brought to the edge of that cliff-it is all of us. We are extending our hand to you at the edge of that cliff.”
The full text of the statement is as follows:
Do not even think about bringing back the anti-LGBTI+ law removed from the judicial package!
We had forced the withdrawal of the anti-LGBTI+ regulation that was intended to be added to the 10th and 11th Judicial Reform Packages thanks to our struggle and solidarity. Now, news has been circulated to the press that the same regulation may be brought back as a separate law.
Against such draft laws that effectively criminalize being LGBTI+, punish it with imprisonment, and aim to further criminalize gender transition processes that are already made difficult in practice, we will continue to struggle just as we did during the judicial package processes.
According to news reports, the government aims to achieve through a separate law what it could not accomplish through the judicial packages. In our previous joint statement as LGBTI+ associations regarding the removal of anti-LGBTI+ articles from the 11th Judicial Package, we had warned that “this could be only a postponement.” Unfortunately, the news now being circulated confirms this warning.
Implementation has begun before the law passed!
On the other hand, the political power is acting through the judiciary and law enforcement as if this law has already been enacted. The closure decision against the Young LGBTI+ Association and the criminal case filed against its administrators, the lawsuit filed against Defne Güzel, Chair of the May 17 Association, the detention and arrest of LGBTI+ influencers in what resembles a witch hunt, and the gender transition processes being brought to a standstill are only some examples of these practices.
We will continue the struggle through solidarity!
As we did during the 10th and 11th Judicial Packages, we will continue to fight together with all segments of society against a possible separate hate law. We will defend our dignity, human rights, equality, freedom, and democracy against every attempt that seeks to punish our existence.
During the 11th Judicial Package process, we addressed the entire society and said “Merhaba Canım.” We repeat this call and ask:
“Read this letter not as a cry for help, but as an invitation to talk and understand each other.
This is not only an LGBTI+ issue. This is the issue of every individual who wants to live with dignity, freely, and without discrimination in this country. This is about ensuring that a child will not be bullied tomorrow for being ‘different,’ that a neighbor will not be stigmatized because of their identity, and that all of us can trust fair laws.
It is in your hands to prevent this hatred, this discrimination, and this social division that is being created. It is not only us who are brought to the edge of that cliff -it is you, it is all of us. And at the edge of that cliff, we extend our hand to you- to you whom the government despises, whose views it ignores, whom it renders invisible.
That hand will not be left hanging, will it?
With affection…”
Signatories:
May 17 Association, 20 November Association for Combating Hate Crimes, Ankara Rainbow Families Association (GALADER), Young LGBTI+ Association, HEVİ LGBTI+ Association, Kaos GL Association, Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association, Lambdaistanbul LGBTI+ Solidarity Association, LGBTI+ Families and Relatives Association (LISTAG), Mersin 7 Renk LGBTI+ Association, Muamma LGBTI+ Association, Özgür Renkler Association, Pembe Hayat LGBTI+ Solidarity Association, SPoD, ÜniKuir Association.
Tags: human rights, media, life, lgbti
