Skeiv Verden continues to stand in solidarity with the Turkish journalist and human rights defender Yıldız Tar, and the transactivist Erkinwho has been imprisoned since 18 February 2025. Tar was arrested along with more than 50 other journalists, academics, opposition figures and activists in a coordinated police operation in Türkiye. Tar and Erkin are both among those hardest hit by this attack on fundamental rights. Norwegian PEN has spoken to Yıldız Tar in prison. Read the full interview with Tar here.
Along with a number of organisations, Queer World previously signed a joint statement condemning the systematic suppression of freedom of expression in the country and a leaked bill from the Turkish government that includes criminalising visible support for queer people and further restricting access to gender-affirming treatment. Read the full statement here.
The younger generation has yet to experience a time when Pride parades could be held freely
"The younger generation has yet to experience a time when Pride parades could be held freely," says Yıldız Tar.
Yıldız describes a climate where political violence is deliberately used to isolate LGBTI+ people and prevent the transition to a more open and equal society.
"The goal of this violence is to build a wall between LGBTI+ individuals and the rest of society. If we can build a solidarity strong enough to overcome that wall, we will see better days." Says Yıldız Tar
Tar's imprisonment is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader offensive against press freedom, civil society and queer rights in Turkey. This is a development we also see in several other countries, where authoritarian regimes strengthen their control by gagging diversity, critical voices and minorities.
The aim of this violence is to build a wall between LGBTI+ individuals and the rest of society. If we can build a solidarity strong enough to overcome that wall, we will see better days.
We at Queer World demands immediate and unconditional release of Yıldız Tar, Erkin and the other imprisoned journalists and human rights defenders.
We call on the Turkish authorities to:
Free Yıldız Tar!
Fri Erkin!
Freedom for all human rights defenders in Türkiye and the world!
