Police Intervention at Istanbul Pride March: Over 50 Detained
Istanbul, June 28 – Police intervened in the 24th Istanbul Pride March, organized under the theme “We are walking openly,” in Kadıköy on Sunday, June 28. At least 50 individuals, including journalists, were detained during the intervention, according to the Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride Week Committee.
The Journalists’ Union confirmed that journalist Müberra Ünsal was among those detained, despite possessing a press card. The union stated, “Both the peaceful exercise of rights and freedoms by LGBTI+ individuals and the coverage of this process by journalists are requirements of democratic societal principles.”
Bans and Restrictions Preceded the March
Prior to the march, the Kadıköy District Governorship had announced a ban on all demonstrations and events in the district from June 27 at 08:00 until June 28 at 23:59. The reasons cited for the ban included the event being “contrary to general morality” and the “possibility of verbal and physical provocative incidents between the groups/individuals organizing the events and our citizens.”
Similarly, the Beyoğlu District Governorship announced a 24-hour ban on marches and events in its district on Sunday, June 28, and closed roads around Taksim Square. The Istanbul Governorship also temporarily closed Taksim Metro Station and the Taksim-Kabataş Funicular Line to public transport.
LGBTI+ Committee Denounces Blockade
The Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride Week Committee issued a statement denouncing the police action: “These barricades erected against us, the closed neighborhoods, streets, districts, squares… Today, the entire city was blockaded because we were going to march. You think you can close public spaces to us, make us invisible. However, neither our march, our organization, nor our existence can be prevented.”
Widespread Support for LGBTI+ Rights from NGOs
Numerous civil society organizations and unions voiced their support for LGBTI+ rights. The Istanbul Bar Association displayed a banner on its building stating, “LGBTI+ rights are human rights.” In a supportive post on its X account, the Bar Association declared, “As the Istanbul Bar Association, we continue to advocate for rights and freedoms for everyone based on the universality of human rights, the principle of equality, and the fight against discrimination.”
The Platform to Stop Femicides, whose members were among those detained, shared the message: “Pride March cannot be prevented, the struggle of LGBTIQ+ cannot be silenced. Detainees must be released immediately.”
Umut-Sen reported that at least 30 people were “detained with handcuffs behind their backs” and stated, “We stand with LGBTI+ individuals who fight against discrimination and impoverishment!”
The Lawyers’ Association for Freedom issued a statement saying, “It is unacceptable for the government, which is obligated to build a system where LGBTI+ individuals, like every citizen, can freely protect and develop their existence, to prevent the 24th Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride March with police force and to detain at least 50 people. We are following the process.”
Istanbul Mor Dayanışma (Purple Solidarity) shared the message, “In defiance of hatred, long live life!”
