Criminal Complaints by İHD, İstanbul LGBTI Against Those Threatening Pride Parade

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The Human Rights Association (İHD) İstanbul Branch and İstanbul LGBTI Solidarity Association organizing the Trans Pride Week, has taken legal action against threats targeting the Pride Parade.

Criminal complaint has been filed against the Muslim Anatolian Youth and Alperen Group on charges of inciting people to grudge and hostility, insulting, discrimination and threat.

İHD issuing a press statement following the criminal complaint, remarked that call for attacks on the Pride Parade violates freedom of expression and organizing by infringing the basic principles of human rights, and that commits crimes of hate and discrimination.

What had happened?

The group naming themselves as “Muslim Anatolian Youth” has started an event on Facebook calling for attack against the Pride Parade, and that Facebook Turkey had declared that the event is in accordance with the Community Standards.

While LGBTI+ activists were getting prepared to take action against Facebook Turkey, the event in question was removed.

The ultra-nationalist Alperen Group had held a press statement in Üsküdar district of İstanbul at 10:30 p.m. yesterday (June 14). İstanbul Provincial President, Kürşat Mican said should the state not halt the parade, they as “representatives of deep nation” will prevent the parade.

The statement included phrases like, “Our reaction will be harsh and clear”, “We are warning”. (ÇT/TK)