Irainian refugee detained during İstanbul Pride Parade faces deportation, possible death sentence

Photo: Tuğçe Yılmaz/bianet

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During the 21st İstanbul Pride Parade on Sunday, more than 100 individuals were detained, including five people from Iran, Libya, Russia, Portugal, and Australia.

The individual from Iran now faces the risk of deportation, and they could potentially be sentenced to death if returned to their home country.

In a written statement today, the Pride Week Committee expressed concerns about the treatment of the detainees and called for support from the public and relevant institutions.

The committee emphasized the risks faced by these non-Turkish citizens, including the imminent threat of deportation, lack of access to healthcare while in custody, and discriminatory treatment.

It emphasized the importance of not depriving these individuals of their right to peaceful protest, as there was no official ban in place regarding the Pride Parade. "Moreover, they should not be denied legal representation and healthcare, which are essential components of humane treatment during their detention."

Call for the Iranian refugee

"We are particularly alarmed about our Iranian friend, who is a registered refugee under International Protection Status in İstanbul. If returned to Iran, they would face a death sentence solely based on their sexual orientation," the committee stated.

The committee called upon all institutions to closely monitor the situation and provide support to these detainees, emphasizing the importance of solidarity in this critical matter.

It urged individuals to use social media to raise awareness, tag consulates and organizations working in the field of refugee rights, and urge affiliated institutions to provide assistance.

"We call upon everyone to demonstrate their solidarity with us in this critical matter," the committee concluded.

The statement also highlighted the urgent need for medical attention for one of the detainees who suffered a severe leg injury during the detention. The committee urgently requested the transfer of this individual to a hospital with a sterile environment. (TY/VK)