TAKE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

LGBTI+ RIGHTS DEFENDERS ON TRIAL

Türkiye UA 17.26

Emirhan Şaşmaz, Kerem Dikmen, and nine other members of the executive and supervisory boards of Izmir-based Genç LGBTI+ association are on trial for violating the Law on Associations, a law that governs civil society groups and can be used to restrict their activities or even dissolve them. They are also accused of having acted in contravention of Article 41 of the Constitution, which protects “family and children’s rights.’’ In December 2025, in a separate lawsuit, the İzmir Civil Court of First Instance No. 3 ordered the dissolution of Genç LGBTI+, a decision now pending appeal. These actions violate freedom of association and discriminate against LGBTI+ individuals.

Call on Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor, Ali Yeldan, to drop all charges and uphold human rights - send your message using our email writing tool.

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Chief Public Prosecutor

Ali

Yeldan

Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor

Dear Chief Public Prosecutor,

I am writing to express serious concerns regarding the prosecution of Emirhan Şaşmaz, Kerem Dikmen, and nine other members of the executive and supervisory boards of the Izmir-based Genç LGBTI+ association. The association and its leadership face legal action for their lawful advocacy and community activities, which are alleged to have violated Article 41 of the Constitution of Türkiye on the protection of family and children’s rights and therefore considered to be in breach of Article 32/1(p) of the Law on Associations.

In December 2025, the İzmir Civil Court of First Instance No. 3 ruled to dissolve Genç LGBTI+, citing ‘obscenity’ in a few illustrations shared on the association’s social media accounts between 2019 and 2022. The Association was initially unaware of key hearings due to improper service, highlighting procedural unfairness.

Accusations of ‘obscenity’ and the weaponization of vague ‘morality’ laws that have led to the summary decision to close the association and the prosecution of its board members on similar grounds represent an unlawful restriction of their right to freedom of association and expression.

We urge you to immediately drop all the criminal charges against Genç LGBTI+ board members and uphold Türkiye’s obligations under international human rights law.

Yours sincerely,

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