On September 12, orders were issued blocking access to the websites and social media accounts of numerous LGBTI+ organisations, media outlets, student groups, rights defenders and activists.
Under a September 12, 2026 ruling by the Istanbul 7th Criminal Judgeship of Peace, access to the websites of the 17th of May Association, the UniKuir News Website, the Pembe Hayat Association, SPoD, the Young LGBTI+ Association, Lambdaistanbul, Muamma LGBTI+ and Velvele was blocked. Under the same ruling, orders were also issued blocking access to a large number of X/Twitter and Instagram accounts. X made some accounts unavailable to users in Turkey.
From 1 AM on September 13, a series of operations began in 15 provinces, primarily Ankara, Mersin, Kusadasi, Istanbul and Izmir, targeting LGBTI+ associations, activists, independent rights defenders and some workplaces.
Media reports citing the Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said judicial proceedings were initiated against 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 establishments across 15 provinces as part of the “My Family is Safe” operations, conducted under the coordination of the Chief Public Prosecutors’ Offices in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin. (KAOS GL)
Mersin MP Perihan Koca visited the people detained in Mersin and brought back some of their messages:
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To my dear friends and the public,
I’m a 65 year-old trans woman. As an activist of 4o years, a volunteer and manager at an LGBT organization, I greet you all with respect and affection.
I know that our struggle is also your struggle. I believe, from the bottom of my heart, that our struggle will overthrow this darkness.
WITH SOLIDARITY,
Tuna Şahin
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We will keep on getting stronger from the place they locked us in. Don’t ever forget that a small sprout can grow through concrete. I’m Sedat Manay, I’m here because of my identity as a trans person and because I tried to provide work opportunities to others whose rights were dismissed. They are afraid of my very existence. They can throw us in gas chambers, poison us and burn us like the Nazis did, then! I too have a mother. I too have a family. Let me ask you now: what will become of my family as I’m here unjustly? I want them to know that we are neither alone nor wrong. I, Sedat Manay, am here because I tried to help other people…
Sedat Manay
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LGBTI+ rights are human rights. I won’t stop defending this. Throwing us in cells and acting against human dignity will not destroy this resistance. To love is to organize. Get organized lubunya.”
Lawyer Caner Zehni
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We are here due to a strong desire for revenge. We are here in the name of everyone, of all of us. Do not forget us. Do not leave us alone in this darkness.
Yaman Umutlu
More information on https://kaosgl2.org/en/