"You should have just stayed calm too": 2025 Istanbul LGBTI+ and Trans Pride Week violations reported

Human rights violations at the 11th Trans Pride March and the 23rd Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride March have been reported. According to reports by human rights organizations, police violence, arbitrary detentions, handcuffing behind one's back, and unlawful bans were implemented as part of a systematic crackdown.

At a press conference held at the Istanbul Branch of the Human Rights Association (İHD), the 2025 Istanbul LGBTI+ and Trans Pride Weeks Monitoring Report prepared by the 17 May Association, Truth Justice Memory Center, İHD Istanbul Branch, Kaos GL, SPoD, TIHV and Amnesty International was presented to the public.

According to KAOS GL, the nearly 70-page report includes comprehensive documentation of the ban on marches, detentions and police violence.

The institutions that prepared the report emphasized that the human rights violations that have been ongoing since 2015 continue in 2025. Mümtaz Murat Kök from the TIHV read the statement on behalf of the institutions.

The statement said, "Along with these violations, discriminatory rhetoric by high-ranking public officials that reinforces homophobia and transphobia continues. Discrimination against LGBTI+ individuals and those who support them has deepened, paving the way for the human rights violations identified in the report."

Both marches were blocked by blanket bans issued by the Istanbul Governor's Office and the Şişli, Kadıköy, Beyoğlu, and Beşiktaş District Governorships. These bans were emphasized as "not only not based on a concrete security threat, but also contrary to the principle of proportionality."

Heavy police deployments were made in the districts on the days of the marches. The measures taken by law enforcement to prevent peaceful marches disrupted not only the demonstrations but also daily life. Despite this, LGBTI+ activists remained determined to march on June 22nd and 29th. However, law enforcement intervened with violence, and arbitrary detentions lasted at least 24 hours.

One of the most striking sections of the report was the one in which a detained lawyer recounted the ill-treatment he experienced. The lawyer, detained during the June 22nd Kadıköy march, was handcuffed behind his back in a police vehicle. When he demanded an end to the handcuffing, saying, "My hands have been cut off, take them off!", a plainclothes police chief responded, "You should have just stayed still!" The statement stated that this statement "showed security forces attempting to legitimize violence that could amount to torture and other ill-treatment."

According to the report, at least 95 people were detained simply for being in a public space, displaying symbols associated with LGBTQ+ individuals, or wearing colorful clothing. For example, three people were stopped and detained on the Galata Bridge, 17 kilometers from the march area. Documents kept by law enforcement officials stated the following reasoning:

“Their attire and the clothes they wear are in colors that symbolize the LGBTI group.”

Two people were also detained hours before the Trans Pride March, very close to their neighborhoods. “This discriminatory and hostile environment has had a chilling effect, discouraging some from participating in the protests,” the report said.

According to field observations, many individuals were subjected to practices such as being handcuffed behind their backs , physical and verbal abuse, sexual violence , and restrictions on access to basic necessities during detention. Lawyers were reportedly beaten during detention, faced police pressure during statement taking, and some lawyers were denied security.

One man, when he resisted being handcuffed from behind, was threatened by police , "I'll break your arm if you resist any further." Another man reported being knocked to the ground, his head slammed, his back stepped on, and his knee forced. The statement recorded that a police officer told a man in custody , "Are you a man too? I hope I'm the one looking for you!"

Those detained in Beşiktaş on June 29th were subjected to suffocation, kicking, prolonged confinement in a ventilated vehicle, insults, and threats. One of the verbal attacks was recorded by police as follows: “You are all disgusting! Look at this situation, your disgust is going to rub off on us.”

Serious violations also occurred in detention examinations. On June 22nd, detainees taken to hospitals without observing doctors were unable to be monitored. On June 29th, it was determined that the individuals were brought for examination in handcuffs, but the handcuffs were not removed, and their bodies were bruised and red. The report also noted that examinations were not conducted in accordance with the Istanbul Protocol and that law enforcement officers were present in the examination room.

The report examined indictments prepared against 92 individuals who participated or were alleged to have participated in the marches. It stated that these indictments clearly violated fundamental human rights such as the right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful assembly .

One of the most striking cases is the arbitrary detention of three individuals despite the absence of any concrete suspicion or grounds for arrest. The charge against them was: "Participating in unlawful assemblies and marches without weapons and failing to disperse voluntarily despite warnings."

The first hearing of the lawsuit filed in this context will be held at the Istanbul 51st Criminal Court of First Instance on August 8. Institutions stated that they will be closely monitoring the case.

The joint statement of human rights organizations listed the following demands:

• Violations of LGBTI+ individuals' rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be stopped immediately.
• General bans must be lifted and everyone's right to peaceful assembly must be guaranteed.
• The charges filed against them for peaceful protests must be unconditionally dropped. The two detainees must be released immediately.
• All allegations of violence and ill-treatment by law enforcement officials must be investigated effectively, impartially and promptly.

Click to access the report.