Pride March Observation Report by SPoD and HRFT: Arbitrary detainees subjected to torture and other ill-treatment
Social Policy, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPoD) jointly with the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT), observed the 22nd Istanbul Pride March on June 30, 2024, and published their comprehensive report. The report states that people who were arbitrarily deprived of their liberty for about eight hours were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment and that false reports were prepared by the police department.
Pride Marches organized in different cities of the country to ensure visibility, protection and improvement of LGBTI+ rights are banned in the face of increasing discrimination and hate speech against LGBTI+ people and are prevented by law enforcement forces, including using torture and other ill-treatment. Despite all obstacles, the community held the 22nd Istanbul Pride March on June 30, 2024, in Kadıköy, Istanbul. SPoD and HRFT, who observed the march, shared their observations and findings with the public.
Hate speech from the governorate, ‘virtual patrol’ confession from the police:
All of the texts prepared by the administration including the Istanbul Governorate’s announced ban decision on social media, Kadıköy District Governorate’s ban order that was shown to the lawyers after the detentions and the Incident Report prepared by the police department contain expressions containing hate speech against LGBTI+s and that LGBTI+s’ exercise of their right to peaceful assembly is tried to be criminalized through these discourses.
The report also stated that the “Incident Report” prepared by the Kadıköy District Police Department do not reflect the truth. 11 people were detained approximately one and a half hours after the march although it is claimed in the report that the “Disperse” announcement was made and the decision of the Governor was notified. It was emphasized that these procedures, which are required by law, were not fulfilled in any way.
With its judgment dated February 19, 2020, the Constitutional Court (AYM) annulled the 18th paragraph of the Additional Article 6 of Law No. 2559 on the Duties and Responsibilities of the Police, which allows the police to conduct so-called “virtual patrols”. The report pointed out that despite the Constitutional Court’s ruling, the police admitted that the “virtual patrol” activities were carried out “as a precautionary measure” despite the absence of any prosecutor’s order in the Incident Report.
Handcuffing was applied to everyone as a method of punishment, children were handcuffed behind their backs.
The report states that it is evident from the Incident Report that 11 people were detained after the Pride March was completed, and that three of the detainees were under the age of 18. Although their ages were learned during the identification process, it was stated that these children were handcuffed behind their backs in violation of the Child Protection Law and they were not uncuffed
All 8 detainees were handcuffed behind their backs and that tight and/or reverse handcuffing was used as a method of punishment. The report states that people were not provided with basic needs such as water and food during detention and that 8 detainees were arbitrarily deprived of their liberty for 7 hours and 54 minutes.
