Kaos GL sues RTÜK over hate rally public service announcement

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The Kaos GL Association filed a lawsuit against the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) for publishing a video about the "Great Family Meeting" held on September 18. The video was posted in "public service announcements" category.

Thousands of people gathered in the Saraçhane Park in Fatih, İstanbul for the anti-LGBTI+ "Great Family Meeting." The event was organized by the Yesevi Alperenler Ocağı Education, Culture and Solidarity Association, which promoted the event with a video stating: "If you say I'm also against the LGBT propaganda and imposition that spreads throughout the world and our country in the digital age... Join our great family meeting to protect our family and future generations."

KAOS GL, short for Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association, founded in 1994, is one of Türkiye's oldest and largest LGBT rights organizations. The organization stated that "The association disregarded RTÜK's duty to prevent hate speech, and by disseminating a video containing hate speech, it conveyed the message that "anti-human rights is a state policy"

Increase in hate speech against LGBTI+s

LGBTI+S rights are increasingly being put under pressure in Türkiye. In recent weeks Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that his party will propose an amendment to the Constitution. The proposed amendment aims to guarantee women's right to wear a headscarf and to protect "the family institution."

A recent EU Commission report stated that Türkiye's anti-discrimination legislation does not meet European standards. Furthermore, there are serious concerns about the human rights of LGBTI+s. There is neither legislation to combat hate speech nor regulations on hate crimes on sexual orientation and gender identity in Türkiye. (EMK/WM/VK)