Turkey Arrests Over 160 People in LGBTQ+ Crackdown
Turkish police arrested at least 162 people this weekend. The crackdown targeted the LGBTQ+ community and HIV support groups.
Officers raided gay bars, group offices and popular hangouts. They also searched homes of LGBTQ+ activists and HIV support group members.
Raids happened in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin. The investigation covered nine associations and 13 businesses.
Some group websites were blocked during the raids. Turkish leaders said the raids aimed to protect family values.
But human rights groups disagreed with that explanation. They said the government used family values as a cover.
They called the crackdown political rather than about values. Turkey's crackdown on LGBTQ+ people has grown over the past decade.
Istanbul Pride was banned in 2015. Authorities have broken up later Pride gatherings too.
Key Terms 3
- LGBTQ+ Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexual or gender minorities.
- HIV support groups Groups that help people living with the HIV virus.
- Istanbul Pride A yearly march celebrating LGBTQ+ rights in Istanbul, Turkey.