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Making a call to everyone to support the freedom of assembly of the LGBTI+ individuals, Amnesty International has launched a petition entitled "The ban imposed on LGBTI+ events in Ankara should be ended now."
On November 18, 2017, the Ankara Governorship indefinitely banned all public events to be held by LGBTI+ civil society organizations in Ankara.
The governorship based its decision on pretexts such as "social sensitivity and sensibilities", "inciting people to grudge and hostility", "protection of public health and morality" and "protection of others' rights and freedoms". The ban, which entered into force during the State of Emergency, has still been in effect though the State of Emergency has been lifted.
Stating that the ban violates the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association, Kaos GL Association first filed a lawsuit at the Ankara 4th Administrative Court, then appealed to the Constitutional Court. With its appeals to courts in Turkey remaining inconclusive, the association also applied to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
Deterioration in struggle against homophobia
In its petition, Amnesty International has underlined that the general bans imposed on events do not only threaten the existence of civil society organizations in the country, but they also lead to a deterioration in the positive steps taken against homophobia and transphobia.
The organization said, "The ban imposed on LGBTI+ events in Ankara should end and love should win. Write to the Governor of Ankara, give support and defend the freedom of peaceful assembly."
Amnesty International made a call for an immediate action on a global scale for the Middle East Technical University (METU) Pride Parade on May 4, 2018 and though the ban on LGBTI+ events in Ankara were still in effect at the time, the parade took place on May 11. (EÖ/HK/SD)
Click here to sign the petition (Turkish)
