Full Breakdown
Turkey’s “My Family Is Safe” Operation Targets LGBTQ+ Community
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
In early September 2026 Turkish police carried out simultaneous raids on LGBTQ+ rights organisations, gay bars, nightclubs and the homes of activists in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin. The operation—dubbed “My Family Is Safe”—resulted in the detention of dozens of people, the seizure of drugs, digital equipment, smuggled alcohol and a firearm, and the blocking of dozens of websites and social-media accounts linked to LGBTQ+ groups.
Background & Context
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s “Decade of Family and Population” plan, announced in 2025, seeks to reverse Turkey’s falling birth-rate by promoting traditional family values. Although same-sex relations have been legal since the Ottoman era, the government has repeatedly portrayed LGBTQ+ people as “deviants” and banned Pride marches since 2015.
Timeline
- September 12 – Authorities began blocking websites and social-media accounts of LGBTQ+ organisations.
- September 13 – Police launched early-hour raids across five provinces, seizing equipment and arresting suspects.
- September 14 – Demonstrations in Izmir were met with tear-gas; further arrests occurred outside courts.
- September 15 – Protesters gathered outside Istanbul’s Caglayan courthouse; police detained at least 126 demonstrators and prevented a press statement.
- September 16 – Freelance journalist Tugba Tekerek was taken into custody in Istanbul and transferred to Ankara; her detention period was extended.
Data & Statistics
- 162 suspects, 9 associations and 13 businesses face legal proceedings in 15 provinces (Justice Minister Akin Gürlek).
- Arrest counts: at least 162 people detained overall; 62 held on remand; 150 detained in Istanbul protests; 47 detained in Izmir; 126 demonstrators detained on September 15.
- 180+ social-media accounts belonging to LGBTQ+ groups, journalists and NGOs have been blocked.
Official Statements & Responses
The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, warned that references to “family values” cannot alone justify restrictions on fundamental rights and called for the release of anyone detained for human-rights work. The European Commission expressed concern over the arrests and online blocking, stating it is monitoring the situation closely. Turkey’s justice ministry issued a circular instructing prosecutors in all 81 provinces to review complaints about material deemed obscene or “genderless.”
Criticism & Opposition
CPJ’s Fiona O’Brien called the imprisonment of journalist Tugba Tekerek “unacceptable” and a chilling message to reporters. Opposition spokesperson Zeynel Emre (Yeni Parti) condemned the use of the judicial system to punish people based on sexual orientation.
On-the-Ground Reports
Police used tear-gas in Izmir and handcuffed demonstrators in Istanbul, detaining journalists from ARD TV and the daily BirGün. Kaos GL’s executive board members were taken to Ankara for questioning, and the organisation reported that its website and news outlet were blocked nationwide.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total number detained: the justice ministry cites 162 suspects, while rights groups count 150 detainees in Istanbul protests and 62 individuals held on remand. Kaos GL estimates nearly 50 defenders affected, whereas prosecutors mention 38 suspects in the Istanbul investigation. No official figure has been released for the total number currently in custody, and the precise legal basis for many online blocking orders remains unclear.
What’s Next
The justice ministry’s September 18 circular will prompt prosecutors in all provinces to review complaints about alleged obscene or “genderless” content. Amnesty International plans a coordinated global protest on September 18, and the Council of Europe has indicated it will continue to press Turkey for compliance with European human-rights standards. Legal challenges to the arrests and the extensive online censorship are expected to unfold in the coming weeks.