Operations and Expert Evaluations for LGBTI+ Associations

In the first wave, which was reflected in the statement of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the actions against LGBTI+ associations attracted attention. According to initial findings, it was stated that action was taken against 6 LGBTI+ associations, while it was reported that Kaos GL's headquarters in Ankara was also searched and many managers and activists were detained.

Speaking to Cumhuriyet, sociologist Semih Turan and constitutional lawyer Şule Boyunsuz made striking evaluations about the legal and political dimension of the operations.

"THEY HAVE BEEN OPERATING WITHIN LEGAL LIMITS FOR YEARS"

Sociologist Semih Turan pointed out that most of the associations under operation have been operating within legal limits for many years and evaluated the events as a continuation of the government's political road map.

Turan said, "Aside from the legal side of the matter, this is actually seen as the continuation of the political road map followed by the government."

Claiming that the process started with discussions on obscenity, Turan pointed out that the operations followed the discussions on artists and stage performances.

"We see a process that is first stirred up on social media and then continues with operations. We are faced with the last round of attempts to design lifestyles step by step," said Turan, adding that LGBTI+ individuals have become a "useful tool" in terms of political power to mobilize the sensitivities of conservative voters.

"THESE ARE THE REAL FAMILY CRISIS"

Emphasizing that there are much more serious sociological problems behind the "family security" discourse, Turan listed the real picture as follows:

•Decreasing fertility rates and aging of the population,

•Decrease in marriage rates, increase in divorces,

• Failure to prevent femicides,

•Domestic violence,

•Increase in youth unemployment,

•Developmental problems in young children due to malnutrition.

Turan stated that these problems require comprehensive social and economic policies and said, "For this reason, I consider them as palliative operations performed in the hope of satisfying conservative families."

"THE OPPOSITION ALSO REMAINS SILENT"

Turan also criticized the opposition and said that political actors did not take a strong enough stance on fundamental rights and freedoms.

"Associations should of course be inspected. However, the statement that these organizations are the mother and cause of all evil in society is a deep injustice. This must be explained and their laws must be protected," he said.

CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER BOYUNSUZ: 'FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED'

Constitutional lawyer Şule Boyunsuz said that the operations seem to directly target LGBTI+ individuals' right to organize and their sexual orientation.

Boyunsuz evaluated, "Legally, there are serious problems in terms of our Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. Fundamental rights regarding privacy, personal freedom and security, and freedom of association are violated."

Arguing that the government is trying to cover up the picture created by economic and social problems by creating a different "enemy", Boyunsuz said:

"People and rights defenders whose sexual orientations do not comply with the regime's worldview are marginalized and made targets. This has nothing to do with the family or protecting the family. It is an approach far from science, law and humanity."

"WHO WILL PROTECT THE FAMILY?"

After the operations called "My Family is Safe", the debate grew: While femicide, violence, child poverty, unemployment and economic crisis that really threaten the family continued, the targeting of associations that have been operating on legal grounds for years brought the discourse of "protecting the family" back to the agenda.

According to experts, the real question is:

While LGBTI+ associations are targeted in operations claiming to protect the family, who is doing what against the violence, poverty and economic collapse that actually threaten the family in Turkey?