In a resolution adopted today, the European Parliament raised its concerns on the worsening situation for human rights in Turkey, including the human rights of LGBTI people.

The resolution calls on Turkish authorities to revoke the indefinite ban on events organised by LGBTI organisations, decided by the Ankara Governor’s Office on 19 November 2017. Following the Governor’s statement, other regions in Turkey have also banned LGBTI events (cf. consideration M & par. 12).

These bans have taken place in a context of repeated restrictions on the rights of LGBTI people, such as the ban of Pride Marches around the country by Turkish authorities – including of Istanbul Pride in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

The European Parliament reminded that such bans are in gross violation of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, as guaranteed by Turkish law as well as international law. Read more via LGBT-EU