07/01/2026 | Writer: Kaos GL
LGBTI+ prisoners in Turkey are subjected to systematic discrimination, violence, and severe conditions amounting to "de facto isolation," according to a joint information note released by LGBTI+ organizations.
The report, prepared by a coalition of LGBTI+ associations, alleges that the Turkish penal system—built on a binary gender model—is failing to uphold international human rights conventions, specifically the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Nelson Mandela Rules.
Suspicious death in Sincan Prison
The report highlights the recent death of a transgender male prisoner, identified as Poyraz, in Sincan Prison on December 1, 2025. While authorities have treated the death as a suicide, civil society organizations have labeled it a "trans murder" resulting from a transphobic prison regime.
According to the information note, there are significant discrepancies surrounding the incident. Poyraz was reportedly placed in a ward alone after four other transgender inmates were removed to a psychiatric unit. Upon their return, inmates found Poyraz hanging from a bunk bed with a rope that did not belong to the room. Witnesses stated that the medical team was delayed despite alarms being raised, and prosecutors did not arrive at the scene for two days.
Inmates reported that Poyraz appeared much thinner than usual and that his hair had been forcibly shaved off. Following the death, disciplinary investigations were launched against the surviving ward mates. The report claims that homophobic practices at Sincan Prison had intensified following the appointment of a new director, with prisoners being forced into cells dubbed the "groom’s ward."
Solitary confinement as a standard practice
A central finding of the report is the widespread use of solitary confinement. Citing 2023 data from the Civil Society in the Penal System Association (CİSST), the note states that 80% of LGBTI+ prisoners are held in solitary confinement.
Prison administrations frequently justify this segregation as a measure to "protect" LGBTI+ inmates from harassment by other prisoners. However, rights groups argue this constitutes punitive "de facto isolation."
- In Aksaray T-Type Prison, six LGBTI+ prisoners are reportedly allowed only one hour of fresh air daily, compared to the six hours granted to the general population.
- The isolation restricts access to libraries, workshops, and sports, severely impacting mental health.
- One prisoner, identified as EK, has reportedly begun a hunger strike to protest these conditions.
Systemic violence and denial of healthcare
The information note details allegations of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by both fellow inmates and prison staff. It cites the case of a transgender inmate, Avşa Erkuş, who was repeatedly transferred rather than protected after reporting sexual abuse by a guard.
Healthcare access remains a critical issue. Transgender prisoners frequently face barriers to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and gender reassignment surgery. The report notes that in Sincan Prison, inmates were allegedly coerced into signing documents waiving their rights to access common areas, which subsequently blocked their access to hospitals.
Furthermore, prison administrations often refuse to recognize the gender identity of trans women, denying them female clothing and personal care items, and enforcing male grooming standards such as short haircuts.
Lack of transparency
The report criticizes the Ministry of Justice for blocking access to data regarding LGBTI+ prisoners. The Ministry reportedly refuses to share statistics, citing "internal information not of public interest," and categorizes all prisoners according to a binary gender system.
While official records from 2020 and 2022 suggest the number of LGBTI+ inmates ranges between 164 and 255, NGOs estimate the figure is much higher, as many conceal their identity for safety.
Institutional failure
The report asserts that national mechanisms, such as the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye (TİHEK), effectively prioritize "institutional security" over prisoner rights, frequently dismissing complaints of discrimination as "unfounded."
The coalition has called on the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Ministry of Justice to immediately end arbitrary isolation practices, include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" in anti-discrimination laws, and ensure independent monitoring of penal institutions.
Click here to read the report.
Tags: human rights
