Letter Concerning the Ban of the Istanbul Pride March 2016
Dear Minister Mr Efkan Ala,
Dear Governor Mr Vasip Şahin,
We hereby address you in order to express our strong and explicit support for the 24th Istanbul Pride announced to take place on 26th of June. We strongly regret the decision taken by the Governorate of Istanbul on the 17th of June to ban this year’s Istanbul Trans Pride March on June 19th and Istanbul LGBTI March on June 26th.
The right to freedom of assembly is a constitutional right granted to all citizens of Turkey. We therefore call on the Turkish authorities to respect and protect the right to freedom of assembly by revoking the decision to ban this year’s pride parades and to ensure the safety of all participants.
Ms Terry Reintke and Mr Daniele Viotti, Members of the European Parliament, among many other Members of Parliament from Europe as well as other politicians, will be in Istanbul to support LGBTI activists.
We are deeply concerned about the fundamental rights of citizens of Turkey with regards to their right to freedom of assembly as well as their wellbeing and safety. We consider the yearly Pride March as a core element for the protection and defence of human rights and dignity.
Yours sincerely,
| Terry REINTKE | Daniele VIOTTI | Kati PIRI |
| Sophie IN’T VELD | Ian DUNCAN | Maria ANENA |
| Cornelia ERNEST | Karima DELLI | Monika VANA |
| Marina ALBIOL GUZMAN | Marita ULVSKON | Olle LUDVIGSSON |
| Jytte GUTELAND | Jens NILSSON | Anna HEDH |
| Maria NOICHL | Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA | Heidi HAUTALA |
| Ulrike LUNACEK | Dennis DE JONG | Nessa CHILDERS |
| Malin BJÖRK | Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ | Ernest MARAGALL |
| Dietmar KÖSTER | Ernest URTASUN | Martina MICHELS |
| Corzza BILDT | Virginie ROZIÈRE | Paloma LOPEZ BERMEJO |
| Brando BENIFEI | Seb DANCE | Tanja FAJON |
| Erica D’ADDA | Ana Marie GOMES | Sirpa PIETIKAINEN |
| Péter NIEDERMÜLLER | Linéa ENGSTRÖM | Julia REDA |
| Ska KELLER | Michel REIMON | Goffredo BETTINI |
| Paolo DE CASTRO | Eleonora FORENZA | Elena GENTILE |
| Cécile KYENGE | Pina PICIERNO | Elly SCHLEIN |
| Barbara SPINELLI | Donatella ALBANO | Camilla FABBRI |
| Valeria FEDELI | Maria GRAZIA GATTI | Maria CECILIA GUERRA |
| Sergio LO GIUDICE | Doris LO MORO | Monica CIRINÀ |
| Carlo PEGORER | Laura PUPPATO | Mara VALDINOSI |
| Maurizio MIGLIAVACCA | Magda ZANONI | Luis ALVERTO ORELLANA |
| Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA | Eider GARDIAZÁBAL RUBIAL |