Let people take to the streets in Türkiye for LGBTQ+ rights, do not detain them.

11-07-2023

Sarah Villegas

Middle East and Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

Elyas Torabibaeskendar was taken into custody at the 21st Pride Parade held on June 25 in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Iranian refugee, who has been living in Turkey since 2013, has international protection status and faces a risk of execution if deported to Iran. Among more than 100 individuals who got detained since this event, Elyas risks imminent threat of deportation, lack of access to healthcare while in custody, and discriminatory treatment. [1] Moreover, Elyas could face the death penalty in Iran, while Türkiye, signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, is expected to protect individuals from gross human rights violations and persecution, as a result of its obligation of non-refoulement.

The Pride Istanbul association emphasises the importance of upholding human rights and international law, urging the authorities to reconsider deportation orders and ensure the wellbeing of those detained. [2] All individuals, regardless of any migration status or sexual orientation, should have the right to peaceful protest. The exercise of the right to association is protected under the Turkish Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. The deportation of Elyas due to his attendance at the Pride Parade is not lawful under the national legislation on migration, the Constitution or the human rights treaties Türkiye is a party of. 

Elyas was transferred to the Urfa Deportation Center after getting detained, which is approximately 17 hours from Istanbul, where he was detained. He was not allowed to meet with his lawyers and had no healthy communication with his family which could amount to a violation of both the Turkish Constitution and international treaties on safeguards against torture. 

The Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride Week Committee expressed in their statement that they “invite the international community to put pressure on the authorities to end the unlawful and long-term detentions that their friends are being subjected to." [3] Global Human Rights Defence also condemns this detention and aims to raise awareness about the ongoing Turkish cracking down on Istanbul Pride events. GHRD requests the immediate release of Elyas and stay in Turkey in safe and stable conditions for his well being.

#pridecantbedetained

#pridecantbedeported

#freeistanbulpride

Sources and further readings

[1] Bianet, ‘Iranian refugee detained during Istanbul Pride Parade faces deportation, possible death sentence’ (27 June 2023) <Iranian refugee detained during Istanbul Pride Parade faces deportation, possible death sentence> accessed 14 July 2023.

[2] Gercek News, ‘Pride Istanbul releases information for the detainees’ (6 July 2023) <Pride Istanbul releases information for the detainees> accessed 14 July 2023.

[3] Bianet, ‘Elyas’s family calls for help: Lawyers will object to the deportation order for the activist from Iran’ (6 July 2023) <Elyas’s family calls for help: Lawyers will object to the deportation order for the activist from Iran> accessed 14 July 2023.