Rainbow Railroad is alarmed by the actions of Turkish authorities. Beginning September 12, 2026, Turkish police targeted multiple LGBTQI+ people and civil society organizations operating legally in the country. Media reports indicate they have detained dozens of people and raided LGBTQI+ rights organizations, bars, and civic spaces. This escalation comes after a decade of hostility toward the LGBTQI+ community. This particular crackdown is happening in the lead-up to elections, and replicates a global pattern of scapegoating LGBTQI+ people.
Turkish human rights defenders and civil society are following with grave concern this targeting of the LGBTQI+ movement as a whole. They warn that it is unacceptable that LGBTQI+ rights are being criminalized and being placed side by side with accusations such as “facilitating prostitution”, “obscenity” and “drug offences.” This crackdown also involved the shuttering of websites and the public disclosure of financial records, both of which are serious attacks on freedom of association. All these attacks will have a chilling effect on the exercise of people’s rights and Turkish democracy.
Being LGBTQI+ in Türkiye is not a crime under their existing Criminal Code. But, despite the absence of explicit criminalization, the Turkish government has consistently used laws on public morality and public order to restrict LGBTQI+ visibility and advocacy. Pride marches, which drew over 100,000 participants in Istanbul in 2014, have been banned annually since 2015. Restrictions intensified when the Turkish government declared 2025 the so-called Year of the Family, and described LGBTQI+ activism as “harmful trends and perverse ideologies”.
Türkiye is a key transit point for millions of refugees, including LGBTQI+ people seeking pathways to safety. When there is an anti-LGBTQI+ crackdown, the consequences for refugees and asylum claimants can be especially severe. They have already fled violence and persecution, and the organizations now under attack may represent their most trusted connections to legal assistance, health care access, and pathways to protection.
Rainbow Railroad receives many requests for help from LGBTQI+ people living in Türkiye. In 2025, we received over 500 requests for help from people in the country. Our review of requests received as of September 15, 2026 shows that people are already contacting us because of the crackdown, and we anticipate an increase in these requests over the coming weeks as the Turkish government continues to attack LGBTQI+ organizations.
Rainbow Railroad stands in solidarity with LGBTQI+ people in Türkiye.
We call on Turkish authorities to release human rights defenders who have been detained for their advocacy and lift all restrictions on LGBTQI+ organizations and their communications.
We call on the Government of Canada, the European Union, and diplomatic missions to condemn the actions of the Turkish government, monitor developments, and respond through diplomatic means. The international community must uphold and defend the human rights of LGBTQI+ people in Türkiye.
We call on governments, foundations, and individual donors to provide flexible, emergency funding for legal assistance, safe accommodation, healthcare support, and emergency relocation.
Rainbow Railroad will continue to monitor this situation closely and work with our local partners on a community-directed crisis response.