The National Education Union strongly condemns the mounting attacks on LGBT+ people and civil society in Turkey following coordinated raids by authorities on 13 September 2026.
The NEU is deeply concerned by reports that Turkish authorities detained at least 162 people in weekend raids targeting LGBT+ organisations, HIV-support groups, activists, journalists and community spaces across twelve provinces.
These actions represent a serious attack on fundamental human rights, including freedom of association, expression and assembly. The use of allegations of criminality, obscenity laws and so-called "family values" to target LGBT+ communities and human rights defenders is a deliberate attempt to intimidate, silence and dismantle independent civil society.
The NEU stands in solidarity with Turkey's LGBT+ communities, human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists resisting repression and defending democratic freedoms. We call for the immediate release of anyone detained for the peaceful exercise of their rights, due process for all detainees, and an end to censorship, harassment and intimidation.
As Turkish authorities intensify their crackdown on fundamental rights and freedoms, we urge the UK Government to hold the Turkish government accountable, support civil society, and make clear its opposition to these abhorrent attacks on civil society.