Istanbul police arrest at least 50 at banned Pride march, journalist detained

Police block Taksim Square, at least 50 detained

Police installed metal barriers around Taksim Square and sealed off the Kadikoy district on the Asian side, also restricting metro services to prevent gatherings. Authorities had officially banned the annual Pride march citing security risks, continuing a policy enforced every year since 2015. Despite the prohibition, activists gathered in several neighbourhoods. According to organisers, police detained at least 50 people during the unofficial procession.

Journalist Muberra Unsal among those arrested

The Turkish Journalists’ Union confirmed that one of those taken into custody was reporter Muberra Unsal. The union said she was detained despite repeatedly identifying herself as a journalist covering the event.

Journalists covering the Istanbul Pride March are again facing illegal obstacles this year. Although she repeatedly identified herself as a journalist, Unsal was taken into detention.

Organisers promise to continue

Defying the ban, protesters moved through several districts and declared they would persist. Organisers released a statement rejecting the repressive measures.

You cannot silence our voices with repression, nor our slogans with bans.

Protesters were heard chanting: “The day is not over. In fact we are only beginning. We will not give up. We will continue to take to the streets wherever we are.”

Bar Association and wider crackdown

The Istanbul Bar Association hung a large banner from its building with the inscription “LGBT rights are human rights.” Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other government members frequently target the LGBT+ community, accusing it of contributing to the country’s low birth rate. The official ban on the Pride march has been almost systematic since 2015.

Tensions have escalated in recent days. Queer journalist Yildiz Tir was arrested on Friday, and on Saturday local authorities closed a gay bar in the Beyoglu nightlife district following protests from Islamist groups. Several social media accounts of queer rights defenders were recently suspended. Islamist groups also launched an online campaign against a planned LGBT cruise, which resulted in the cancellation of its scheduled stop in Istanbul on 8 July.