15/12/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
The İzmir Bar Association issued a statement in response to the decision to dissolve the Young LGBTI+ Association. Announcing that it will closely follow the legal process, the Bar Association called on all individuals and institutions to take responsibility for the protection of freedom of association.
The Young LGBTI+ Association, which operates in İzmir, was dissolved on allegations of “obscenity” based on its social media posts.
The decision by the Izmir 3rd Civil Court of First Instance to dissolve the Young LGBTI+ Association, despite finding no irregularities in the association’s bylaws, has mobilized human rights organizations and activists.
In a statement published today (Monday, 15 December), the İzmir Bar Association reacted to the ruling, stating that “the dissolution of the Young LGBTI+ Association by the court is a clear violation of freedom of association,” and called on all individuals and institutions to take responsibility for safeguarding this fundamental right.
Emphasizing that the court’s decision effectively enforces regulations that have not been enacted into law and undermines the principle of the rule of law, the İzmir Bar Association included the following remarks in its statement:
“The concepts of ‘encouraging’ and ‘promoting’ being LGBTI+, as used in the court’s reasoned decision, are nothing more than prejudices that are incompatible with scientific facts. As confirmed by scientific authorities, an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity is not a choice that can be changed or promoted. This decision creates the effect of implementing regulations that have not been legislated, which amounts to the judiciary substituting itself for the legislature, thereby undermining the principle of the rule of law.”
In the statement, which said that “the dissolution of an association that has been operating for years in İzmir to combat discrimination against LGBTI+ youth is the latest example of the deepening and increasingly systematic violations of rights targeting LGBTI+ people in our country,” the following remarks were included:
“Pursuant to the Constitution and international conventions, everyone has the right to establish associations and to operate them for lawful purposes. The dissolution of an association that has been working for years in İzmir to combat discrimination against LGBTI+ youth is the latest example of the deepening and increasingly systematic violations of rights against LGBTI+ people in our country. When disproportionate interventions against freedom of expression and association, pressure practices carried out through investigations and lawsuits, impunity for hate speech and hate crimes, and the restriction of access to gender affirmation processes through administrative practices are considered together, it is clear that these policies produce nothing but harm for our country. The rule of law and social peace are only possible when the dignity and rights of every citizen are respected.”
Announcing that it will closely follow the legal process, the Bar Association called on all individuals and institutions to take responsibility for protecting freedom of association, which is the guarantee of a society living together in peace and with all its diversity:
“As the İzmir Bar Association, we emphasize that the decision to dissolve the Young LGBTI+ Association should be overturned at the appellate stage, taking into account its unlawfulness, and that judicial harassment directed at civil society must come to an end. We announce that we will be closely following the legal process, and we call on all individuals and institutions to take responsibility for protecting freedom of association, which is the guarantee of a society living together in peace and with all its diversity.”
Tags: human rights, women, life, family, trans, lgbti
