TÜRKIYE: Lawyers targeted in crackdown on LGBTQI+ organisations and rights defenders
The OIAD is appalled by the measures taken by the Turkish authorities against lawyers working to support individuals and organisations defending LGBTQI+ rights.
Since 12 September 2026, a large-scale police operation has been targeting LGBTQI+ rights organisations, activists and defenders in several parts of the country. The authorities have announced legal proceedings against more than 160 individuals, as well as various organisations. Searches have been carried out at the premises of organisations and in the homes of activists, and multiple websites and social media accounts have been blocked. According to a report by the Human Rights Centre, Women’s Rights Centre and Lawyers’ Rights Centre of the Istanbul Bar Association, in Istanbul alone 35 people were taken into custody and 20 were remanded in pre-trial detention. Six associations were targeted. The websites of 11 LGBTQI+ associations, 32 X accounts and 419 other social media accounts have been blocked, and blocking has been requested for 107 more. The blocked accounts include those of university LGBTQI+ groups, rights organisations, journalists, and the LGBTI+ Rights Centre of the Ankara Bar Association.
Lawyers have themselves been targeted in this context. On 14 September, in Izmir, a lawyer was arrested during a demonstration. Lawyers who went to see their clients in custody to provide legal assistance were reportedly prevented from entering police premises. On 15 September, during a gathering outside the Çağlayan Courthouse in Istanbul, more than 100 people were violently arrested, including several lawyers.
The Istanbul Bar Association has condemned serious interference with lawyers’ work during the recent arrests. Lawyers were prevented for several hours from meeting their clients, who are also reported to have been subjected to ill-treatment and deprivation whilst in custody. Furthermore, restrictions on access to case files and signs of violence were noted in all the cases assessed.
These events are of particular concern given the role of lawyers in protecting fundamental rights. Lawyers being prevented from accessing those who have been arrested or being arrested themselves whilst carrying out their defence duties undermines the right to legal assistance and the independence of the profession. Denying lawyers access to detainees during the first hours of custody, when the risk of ill-treatment is highest, removes one of the most important safeguards against torture. They are also targeted in a context which forms part of a wider, well-documented pattern of pressure on the legal profession in Türkiye, including against bar associations themselves.
The Observatory is closely monitoring the situation and urges the Turkish authorities to ensure that lawyers are able to carry out their duties freely, without intimidation, arrest, harassment or undue interference, in accordance with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (Havana Principles). This principle is also reflected in the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 12 March 2025, which, although not yet in force, sets out the European standards for the protection of lawyers.
The Observatory also calls on the authorities to guarantee that people deprived of their liberty have effective access to a lawyer of their choice from the outset of custody, including confidential meetings and access to the case file, and to respect the fundamental due process guarantees.
The Observatory reminds the Republic of Türkiye of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Havana Principles, in particular the following articles:
- “Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.” (ICCPR, Article 9§1)
- “In the determination of any criminal charge against him, everyone shall be entitled to the following minimum guarantees, in full equality: (…) To be tried in his presence, and to defend himself in person or through legal assistance of his own choosing; to be informed, if he does not have legal assistance, of this right; and to have legal assistance assigned to him, in any case where the interests of justice so require, and without payment by him in any such case if he does not have sufficient means to pay for it” (ICCPR, Article 14§3d)).
- “Everyone who is deprived of his liberty by arrest or detention shall be entitled to take proceedings by which the lawfulness of his detention shall be decided speedily by a court and his release ordered if the detention is not lawful.” (ECHR, Article 5§4)
- “All arrested, detained or imprisoned persons shall be provided with adequate opportunities, time and facilities to be visited by and to communicate and consult with a lawyer, without delay, interception or censorship and in full confidentiality. (…)” (Havana Principles, Principle 8)
- “Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (…) and (c) shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.” (Havana Principles, Principle 16)
The Observatory further recalls the European Court of Human Rights’ finding that “persecution or harassment of members of the legal profession (…) strikes at the very heart of the Convention system” (Elçi and Others v. Turkey, 2003, § 669), and calls on Türkiye to sign and ratify the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer.
