Themen
23. Juni 2016

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