Turkish courts have increased the number of LGBTQ activists and supporters to 62 with new rulings. This action has taken place following recent crackdowns over the past weekend and has raised human rights concerns at the international level.
Background of Recent Crackdowns
The crackdowns against the LGBTQ community in Turkey have gradually begun years ago and have intensified in recent months. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has consistently sought to establish the image of a strong, masculine state in the minds of the Turkish society. According to Cohen Slutmaker, a professor of international politics at St. George's University in London, Erdoğan specifically views the LGBTQ community as a threat to this idea.
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Political and Social Consequences
The crackdown on LGBTQ activists is not limited to human rights issues but also has broader political and social consequences. The increase in the number of prisoners and systematic crackdowns could lead to a weakening of human rights in Turkey and also affect the country's relations with the European Union and other international bodies. Slutmaker emphasizes that these actions are not only detrimental to the LGBTQ community but also harm the overall Turkish society.
It seems that Erdoğan, through these actions, is seeking to strengthen his social base and garner support from right-wing and conservative groups. He wants to demonstrate that he is vigorously confronting internal and external threats and defending his idea of a strong state.
This situation not only puts pressure on the LGBTQ community but also impacts the political and social atmosphere in Turkey. Human rights in this country are increasingly under threat, and international bodies need to pay more attention to this issue.
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