Turkey: A joint statement from hundreds of lawyers: LGBTIQ+ rights are human rights

by Yiğit E Korkmaz

After the increase of the hate, discrimination, and statements against LGBTI+'s, hundreds of lawyers from Turkey published a joint statement and said, "LGBTİQ+ rights are human rights".

A joint declaration of lawyers from all around Turkey was released with the signatures of the first 763 signatories. The statement will be moved to a website soon, and names will continue to be collected from there. Lawyers who want to sign until the site opens can send an e-mail to alexeyolien@gmail.com.

The complete statement is as follows:

LGBTIQ+ Rights are Human Rights

LGBTIQ+ Pride and Rights Lawyers Statement

None of us are free until we are all equal. "All kinds" of discrimination is forbidden "wherever" it comes from, whether it originates from science, religion, neighbor, inside-house, street, school, state, institutions, society. Our constitution, UN and ECHR law are very clear on this. Law and ethics regarding fundamental rights and civil liberties are clear: LGBTIQ+ rights are human rights! As lawyers members to our bar associations, we are the lawyers of LGBTIQ+ rights, civil liberties and equality! Happy LGBTİQ + Pride Week, and Pride March!

Click here for the Turkish text and full list of signatories via KAOS GL.