Eleven leaders of a Turkish LGBT group have been put on trial in the city of Izmir charged with publishing obscene images and “violating the protection of the family”. Human Rights groups have raised concern over the crackdown against LGBT groups by the Turkish government.
The defendants belong to the Genç LGBTI+ (which translates as Young LGBTI+) association and are charged with violating constitutional rules intended to safeguard “family values.”
According to prosecutors, the group shared photos on social media depicting same-sex couples kissing, which officials have classified as “obscene.” If found guilty, the activists may be sentenced to as much as three years in prison and could also lose certain civil rights.
“This trial arises from a policy of excluding LGBT+ people from the public sphere,” said Kerem Dikmen, the association’s lawyer, who is also on trial for his role in the group’s board.
“It is an attack on freedom of expression and freedom of association. This is not about obscenity. Activities that are perfectly legitimate, legal and in line with the constitution are being criminalised. It is a form of dehumanisation.”
While homosexuality is legal in the country, in recent years the government led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has introduced constitutional amendments that call for the protection of family values. President Erdogan has previously blamed LGBT people for the country’s falling birthrate.
