Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 February 2021
139. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government response to the recent events and discrimination regarding the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10724/21]
View answerI am seriously concerned at the developments in Turkey relating to the student protests at Bogaziçi University. Our Embassy in Ankara has been closely monitoring the situation and is collaborating closely with other EU and like-minded Embassies, including in monitoring the ongoing trial of other LGTBQ+ students arrested for seeking to organise a pride parade in 2019. The branding of the student protesters as ‘terrorists’ and the arrests of over 500 students and protesters for exercising their rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly is unacceptable. Turkey needs to respect its national and international obligations and to release all of those arbitrarily detained for exercising their right to peaceful assembly over the past few weeks.
I equally condemn the rhetoric of senior Turkish officials against LGBTQI+ groups and the closing down of Bogaziçi University’s LGBTQI+ Association. This is unfortunately part of a wider pattern in Turkey, with LGBTQI+ NGOs facing restrictions on their freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, as well as facing smear campaigns and hate speech from senior officials.
The actions against the students and the targeting of LGBTQI+ groups also run counter to Turkey’s stated commitment of pursuing a closer relationship with the EU. The EU is built on adherence to fundamental values, including defence of human rights, freedom of expression, and strict respect for the rule of law. For any meaningful progress on Turkey’s relationship with the EU to occur, Turkey needs to change course and show sustained commitment to the rule of law.
Ireland ascribes the greatest importance to the principles of equality and non-discrimination, and advancing human rights is central to Ireland’s foreign policy. We are committed to promoting the rights of LGBTQI+ people, who continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and discrimination around the world. Ireland continues to support initiatives in the EU and other international fora which promote and protect the rights of LGBTQI+ people, and which condemn violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
