Campaigners in Türkiye are calling for the immediate release of LGBT+ people detained during operations known as “Ailem Güvende”, or “My Family Is Safe”. The appeal, backed by 106 organisations, says the arrests have intensified fears over equality, freedom of association and the safety of human rights defenders.

Essential Takeaways

  • 106 organisations signed: The coalition includes LGBT+ groups, unions, legal associations and women’s rights organisations.
  • Dozens remain detained: The statement says 117 people were taken into custody and 83 were remanded in prison.
  • Campaigners allege mistreatment: The groups say detainees faced poor treatment and torture during custody and imprisonment.
  • The central demand: Signatories want the detainees released and pressure on LGBT+ rights defenders to end.
  • A wider concern: Earlier joint appeals show growing anxiety over proposed anti-LGBT+ legal measures in Türkiye.

Campaigners say the arrests have crossed a line

A broad coalition of civil society groups in Türkiye has urged authorities to release LGBT+ people held for more than a month following operations conducted under the “Ailem Güvende” label. The organisations argue that LGBT+ identity, organising and rights advocacy shouldn't be treated as criminal acts.

The appeal was issued after a forum convened by the Eşitlik İçin Yan Yana Platformu, or Side by Side for Equality Platform. According to the campaign statement reported by Son Dakika, 117 people were detained from 12 September onwards, while 83 were subsequently arrested and held in prison.

The figures have sharpened concern among rights organisations, particularly because the detentions appear connected to wider arguments about family policy and social values. For many campaigners, that's a worrying shift from political rhetoric into direct pressure on people and groups providing support.

What is the “Ailem Güvende” operation?

The operation's name translates as “My Family Is Safe”, a phrase that campaigners say has been used to frame actions against LGBT+ people through the language of family protection. They reject that justification, arguing that it turns prejudice into policy and presents equality as a threat.

The coalition also alleges that people held during the process experienced mistreatment and torture. Those are serious claims, and they underline why independent legal oversight, access to lawyers and transparent judicial procedures matter in cases involving civil society activists.

The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey has separately backed calls for solidarity with LGBT+ people and rights defenders. Its position reflects a broader concern that restrictions on association and expression can affect not only activists, but also anyone seeking advice, community or protection.

A coalition stretching beyond LGBT+ groups

The 106 signatories include prominent LGBT+ organisations such as Kaos GL, Pembe Hayat, ÜniKuir and SPoD. Legal groups, trade unions, feminist organisations, psychologists and political parties also appear among the supporters, giving the appeal a notably broad base.

That breadth matters. When legal professionals, educators, workers' representatives and women's rights groups join the same statement, the issue is no longer confined to one community's campaign. It's being presented as a test of basic freedoms, including the right to organise, speak publicly and defend other people's rights.

Earlier statements reported by Bianet, Kaos GL and Sendika.org show similar alliances forming around opposition to proposed anti-LGBT+ legislation. The repeated message is simple: equality isn't a niche concern, and attempts to restrict one movement can set a precedent for others.

Why legal safeguards are now central

For families and supporters trying to find detained relatives, the practical questions are immediate. Where are people being held? Have they had prompt access to legal counsel? What evidence has been presented? And are allegations of mistreatment being investigated independently?

Rights groups say these safeguards shouldn't depend on a person's identity or the popularity of their cause. The organisations behind the latest appeal are calling for an end to pressure on LGBT+ people and those who defend them, while urging democratic groups, unions, bar associations and politicians to add their support.

Reports from Agos and the Treatment of LGBT+ rights campaign also point to a continuing effort to keep solidarity visible. That public attention can be crucial when cases become politically charged and individual detainees risk disappearing from the wider conversation.

The wider fight over visibility and equality

The latest statement lands amid a tense climate for LGBT+ rights in Türkiye. Previous joint declarations have warned that proposed legal changes could limit public expression, community organising and advocacy, while campaigners insist that LGBT+ people will continue to exist and organise.

There is a human cost behind every headline and statistic. A detention can mean lost income, anxiety for relatives and a sudden break in ordinary life, while organisations supporting detainees may face their own pressure. As one coalition message puts it, solidarity is not just a slogan; it becomes a practical lifeline when people are isolated.

For now, the campaigners' demands are clear: release those detained, stop the pressure on LGBT+ rights defenders and protect the freedom to organise. Whether authorities respond will be closely watched by rights groups in Türkiye and beyond.

It's a small phrase with a large principle behind it: equality must apply to everyone.

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