Country: Turkey
ICHR is thrilled by the news that today the Ankara administrative appeals court ruling has lifted the blanket ban on all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex events that was in placed in the capital since November 2017.
“This is a great victory and momentous day for LGBTI people in Turkey and for the LGBTI rights activists. With pride season approaching next month we celebrate this significant court ruling.” Said Ardeshir Zarezadeh, Advocacy Director for Iran, and The Middle East at ICHR Canada.
The LGBTI people and their allies were scandalously and unlawfully banned from holding any LGBTI related events since November 2017.
One of the Ankara governorate’s key justifications for imposing this outrageous ban was that it was necessary because some people might be provoked by LGBTI events.
This was unequivocally rejected by the administrative appeals court which stated the State’s responsibility is to enable and protect peaceful assembly.
This is good news not only for LGBTI organizations and activists but also others who have had their peaceful assemblies unlawfully restricted or banned.
The court clearly stated that even under a state of emergency, indefinite blanket bans such as the one in place in Ankara, are unlawful.
Though the state of emergency was lifted in July 2018, many of the restrictions to peaceful assembly are still in place.
ICHR calls on the authorities to take action to ensure that all such unjustified and unlawful bans are lifted.