Statement of the BNYC “RADA” in connection with the repression against the LGBTQ+ community and human rights defenders in Turkey
On September 13-14, 2026, a large-scale police operation called “My Family is Safe” took place in Turkey. According to the information of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty, it has targeted 162 individuals, nine associations and 13 organizations and institutions in 15 provinces. Dozens of activists have been detained; offices, bars and private apartments have been searched; and the websites and social networks of key LGBTQ+ organizations in the country have been blocked – including Kaos GL, SPoD, Pink Life, Lambda Istanbul, ÜniKuir, 17 Mayıs, Genç LGBTİ+ and Muamma LGBTİ+. A separate area of investigation has been concerned with checking the sources of funding for the organizations.
The Belarusian National Youth Council “RADA” has been and remains a steadfast ally of the LGBTQ+ community, wherever it is located. We condemn the actions of the Turkish authorities and we do not recognize any legitimate purpose behind the operation “My Family is Safe”. It is a political tool directed against people because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
The situation looks very familiar, as queer Belarusians have been persecuted for years. From “preventive conversations” and public humiliation to direct responsibility for the so-called “propaganda of same-sex relationships”. And organizations that worked with the community have been liquidated or forced into exile. The same thing is happening throughout the Eastern Partnership region and beyond. The set of tools is the same everywhere, it is exported from one country to another. Therefore, solidarity must also be transnational.
The Belarusian National Youth Council “RADA” emphasizes:
- Protection of equality and non-discrimination is granted by Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and the selective application of the law to one group violates Article 14. The European Court of Human Rights has consistently held that references to “family values” or “child protection” cannot justify restrictions on human rights.
- Restricting lawyers’ access to case materials and requirement to hire separate defenders without individualized evidence of a conflict of interest make effective protection impossible and violate Article 6 of the Convention.
- The 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders obliges states to ensure a safe environment for human rights defenders, including the right to seek and receive resources. Funding checks cannot be a way to shut down organizations.
The Belarusian National Youth Council “RADA” calls on:
- Turkish authorities – to immediately and unconditionally release all those detained in connection with human rights and civic activities, to drop charges against them, end the operation “My Family is Safe,” and unblock the websites and accounts of LGBTQ+ organizations;
- Turkish authorities – to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances of the police operation, bring to justice all officials involved in violating the rights of detainees, and to compensate the victims of the police operation for the damage incurred;
- the Council of Europe, the European Union, UN special procedures and diplomatic missions in Ankara – to support victims of the police operation and ensure monitoring of judicial proceedings and direct contact with detainees and their lawyers;
- partner organizations and youth communities – to provide Turkish LGBTQ+ organizations with public, legal, and financial support.
The rights and dignity of all people must be protected – without exception!
