Turkish authorities conduct sweeping operations against LGBTQ+ community

On September 12-13, 2026, Turkish police and gendarmerie forces launched a nationwide crackdown titled “My Family is Safe,” conducting raids across 15 provinces. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek reported that legal proceedings have been initiated against 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 companies, citing a government initiative to protect traditional family values and social order. Police targeted homes, offices of LGBTQ+ organizations, gay bars, and other venues, leading to widespread detentions in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Mersin.

By mid-week, the situation escalated as protests erupted in response to the crackdown. On Tuesday, police detained at least 150 people during demonstrations outside Istanbul’s Caglayan courthouse and in Ankara. Lawyers confirmed that at least 31 individuals were ordered to be held pending trial, with additional detentions recorded in Mersin and other regions. The campaign, which has also involved website blocks, has drawn sharp criticism from the Turkish Human Rights Association and international bodies, including the Council of Europe, for allegedly dismantling civil society and promoting discrimination. Authorities continue to process the legal cases of those detained, while activists maintain their opposition to the government's policy, despite police intervention in their attempts to hold press statements.