“If we make it ten steps, it will be a successful parade.” These are not the words that most Pride March organisers would ever want to say – but on the night before the 9th Middle Eastern Technical University Pride March, it was one we as the Pride organisers had to remind ourselves.
ILGA-Europe Communications Team
Two cities. Two groups of LGBTI community organisers. Two events with the same name. Two very different experiences – but one common shared lesson about the significance of Pride marches in 2018.
Joint public statement from Amnesty International, ILGA-Europe and All Out
The ban on public events organised by LGBTI groups has been upheld by Ankara’s 4th and 13th Administrative Courts.
The fact that events organised by LGBTI organisations are being targeted in this way is very unnerving.
This year, in its 15th year of anniversary, the Pride March was banned by Istanbul Governor’s Office, a day before its occurrence.
The Pride march was planned for Sunday 25 June in the vicinity of Taksim Square.
The state of emergency continues in Turkey, with increasing repression of opposition, activists and media voices. Over 370 NGOs were shut down at the start of November allegedly for suspected terrorist ties.
ILGA-Europe welcome yesterday’s unanimous decision by the European Court of Human Rights, which upheld freedom of expression in the case of Kaos GL vs Turkey.
March cancelled, activists and politicians dispersed and arrested.
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