Lawsuit against 70 students for participating in Boğaziçi Pride Parade

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At the request of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a lawsuit was filed against those detained during the Pride Parade held at Boğaziçi University on May 20.

Police attacked the Pride March organized by the Boğaziçi University LGBTI+ Studies Club (BÜLGBTİA+), which was shut down by the trustee-rector last year.

According to the indictment, the law enforcement officers warned the students who were carrying "flags representing LGBTIA+" and shouting slogans.

Despite warnings, they continued their march, said the prosecutors. During the protests, at least 45 students and one academic were detained.

The students will stand trial for violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911 and the Turkish Penal Code No. 5237. The date for the first hearing of the case has not yet been determined.

LGBTI+ groups at Boğaziçi University have come under pressure since President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appointed a rector from outside of the schools's academic community at the start of 2021.

LGBTI+ rights are under pressure in Türkiye, as it withdrew with the İstanbul Convention last year, and recently a constitutional amendment to 'institutionalize family values' was proposed by the ruling AKP party.

According to the annual Rainbow Europe index, made by International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association Europe (ILGA), Türkiye was the second worst European country, ranking 48th among 49 countries. (EMK/WM/VK)