Call for government to convey serious concerns over Turkey’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ community

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee must immediately contact the Turkish Embassy in Dublin to convey the Irish Government’s serious concerns over this week’s wave of raids and arrests targeting the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey, according to Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson.

Senator Stephenson, who is the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, said:

“Since last Sunday, we have seen a worrying crackdown on LGBTQ+ people and journalists by the Turkish authorities, under the spurious guise of obscenity accusations and child protection concerns.

“Nobody should be oppressed or discriminated against because of their sexuality or gender identity.

“Unfortunately, what we’re witnessing in Turkey this week comes at a time of deeply concerning backsliding on LGBTQ+ rights globally, including in the United States under President Trump.

“When there is an erosion of fundamental human rights, it’s usually the LGBTQ+ community that is targeted first.

“We cannot accept this as normal and must call it out whenever we see it.

“We all have a duty to stand up for human rights in every corner of the world. Minister McEntee must now engage with the Turkish Ambassador to Ireland and outline the Government’s serious concerns over her country’s despicable attacks on LGBTQ+ activists and journalists.”