GiveOut grant partner, The LGBTI Equal Rights Association of the Western Balkans and Turkey (ERA), has strongly condemned the arbitrary detention of journalist and LGBTQI human rights defender Yıldız Tar, and is demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
Yıldız Tar, a prominent journalist and LGBTQI human rights defender, was arrested on 18 February in Turkey, amidst a sweeping operation targeting LGBTQI activism and freedom of expression.
Tar was scheduled to travel to London to speak at GiveOut’s LGBTQI Climate Convening next week to discuss the ways climate funders and activists can work together in collaboration.
Reporters sans frontières (Reporters Without Borders) has also called on authorities to release Tar and other journalists immediately, and to stop the legal harassment of media professionals.
Tar’s detention occurs within a context of rising anti-LGBTQI sentiment in Turkey. The government is pursuing legislative changes to criminalise LGBTQI identities, with proposed amendments to the Civil and Penal Code potentially imposing up to three years’ imprisonment for individuals “acting contrary to their biological sex.”
Talking about the implications of Yidiz’s arrest, ERA stated:
“Tar’s arrest is a test case for Turkey’s broader authoritarian crackdown. If this attack on press freedom and LGBTQI activism goes unchallenged, it will set a precedent for further criminalisation, organisation shutdowns, and widespread arrests.”
To read ERA’s statement click here.