20/08/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
Members of the European Parliament: “A modern and democratic society cannot be built on fear, intimidation, and oppression.”
Thirty one members of the European Parliament called for the release of Enes Hocaoğulları, Turkey’s Youth Delegate to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and an LGBTI+ activist. The MEPs urged the European Commission to take action against this unlawful detention.
According to a report on ÜniKuir.org; the letter of appeal was prepared under the leadership of Lucia Yar from the Renew Europe group. The letter was addressed to European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas and other commission members.
The MEPs stated that Hocaoğulları’s detention is a sign of violence against the LGBTI+ community in Turkey. They also noted that the detention is part of broader pressure applied to opposition members, students, and journalists.
The MEPs, noting that Hocaoğulları’s detention hinders progress in the EU accession process and that EU funding should be linked to compliance with rule-of-law standards, stated:
“A modern and democratic society cannot be built on fear, intimidation, and oppression. Criminalizing speeches made in the Council of Europe undermines our shared European values. Silencing young people sends a dangerous message not only for Turkey but for all of Europe.”
What happened?
Enes Hocaoğulları, a youth delegate to the Council of Europe and an LGBTI+ activist, was taken into custody on August 5 immediately upon landing at Ankara Esenboğa Airport and was arrested the same day.
Hocaoğulları, who serves as the youth delegate representing Türkiye at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, was referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace with a request for arrest following his statement taken by the prosecutor.
Two separate investigations had been launched against Hocaoğulları, by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Anti Terror Crimes Bureau and the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Press Crimes Bureau, on charges of “publicly disseminating misleading information” and “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” over his speech at the Council of Europe. These two investigation files were later merged in Ankara.
Our friend, whose statement was taken directly by the prosecutor, was referred to the court with a request for arrest on the charge of “publicly disseminating misleading information,” upon the prosecutor’s request.
The court ordered Hocaoğulları’s arrest.
Hocaoğulları is still being held in Ankara Sincan Prison. His first hearing will take place on September 8 at the 86th Criminal Court of First Instance in Ankara.
Tags: human rights, life, lgbti
