Foto: Reidar Engesbak/Blikk
Ytringsfrihet og akademisk frihet er under angrep i Erdogans tyrkia. Skeive organisasjoner i Norge står i solidaritet med aktivistene som kjemper i Istanbul disse dager.
Read about the demo in blikk-article
Watch video with statement from demo
A joint-statement by Skeiv Verden, Salam and FRI – on the government endorsed hate speech targeting LGBQTI+ community, closure of LGBQTI+ Studies Club by the unelected/appointed Rector and arrest of queer activists who are fighting against eroding academic freedom and autonomy at Boğaziçi University:
We have been following closely the peaceful student-led protests against the newly appointed Rector at Boğazici University, which the LGBQTI+ community on campus is an important part of.
In the face of a growing student movement, the government resorts to homophobia and transphobia to divide the movement and delegitimize the demands of thousands of students and hundreds of academics. We firmly condemn all the hateful rhetoric currently used by the state officials and the media that aims to stigmatize the LGBQTI+ students. We are well aware that these strategies try to weaponize homophobia and transphobia to denigrate a massive student movement that questions the legitimacy of appointment of an unelected Rector from above by an increasingly authoritarian government.
We find the hateful discourse used by the highest offices in the state and the subsequent closure of the LGBQTI+ Studies Club unacceptable. We proudly observe that despite all the oppressive measures and police brutality, the Queer community and their allies continue to organize demonstrations on and off their campus, giving hope and inspiration to the LGBQTI+ community beyond their borders including the signatories of this statement in Norway. The rights that our community has won have all been fought for in difficult battles and we cannot accept reversal of them even an inch.
LGBQTI+ community in Turkey has been fighting for dignity, freedom and equity for decades and the current level of visibility and campus-based organizations are a result of their long-lasting struggles. We reiterate our support for the LGBQTI+ students and their allies at Boğaziçi University, and once again condemn the divisive, LGBQTI+phobic and hateful language of the authorities in Turkey. We call for an immediate release of the detained activists and extend our deepest solidarity towards our siblings at Boğazici University and Turkey.
As the famous slogan of the ongoing student movement puts beautifully “Never bow your head down, always look at the Rainbow!” United, we are strong!
