The mobilization comes after a new police offensive that has left more than 60 people arrested and more than 160 under investigation in Türkiye.
Around 300 people gathered yesterday, September 17, in front of the Turkish Consulate in Barcelona to denounce the renewed escalation of repression against LGBTQ+ people , activists, and human rights organizations in the country. The demonstration, organized by Pride Barcelona and the Catalan LGBTQ+ Platform, aimed to make Barcelona a space of solidarity with those being persecuted and detained in Turkey.
The mobilization comes just days after a police operation in 15 Turkish provinces targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations . According to Amnesty International, more than 60 people were arrested and investigations were opened against more than 160. The organization also denounced restrictions on social media accounts and websites linked to LGBTQ+ activists and organizations.
The gathering was attended by members of the Turkish LGBTQ+ community residing in Barcelona, social entities and institutional representatives, including Javi Rodríguez, LGBTI commissioner of the Barcelona City Council, and Alberto Lacasta, director of Public Policies of the Generalitat of Catalonia.
Community LGTBQ + Turkish in Barcelona
Sun Stone y Aegeacommunity spokespeople LGTBQ + Turkish in BarcelonaThey denounced that the persecution is not a new phenomenon and warned of the situation faced by those who publicly defend the rights of the group.Today, LGBTQIA+ people in Türkiye are not safe.“,” they stated, also asserting their right to a dignified life.
They also demanded a response from European and international institutions and warned that the situation cannot be understood solely as an internal matter for Turkey.
In addition, during the gathering, the Manifesto of solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people in Turkey was read by Maria Giralt, vice president of Pride Barcelona and director of the Social Sphere; Alberto Martín, president of the LGTBI Platform of Catalonia ; and Ortésia Cabrera, head of Volunteering at Pride Barcelona.
The manifesto conveyed a message of support to those persecuted and called for international solidarity against the criminalization of LGBTQ+ activism . “ You are not alone. You are not alone. You are not alone,” the text states, concluding with a declaration of resistance.
CIA: “Our rights are not negotiable. Our dignity is not negotiable. Our freedom is not negotiable.”
