In recent months, authorities in Turkey have unleashed a crackdown on members of the LGBTQI+ community along with those who advocate on their behalf. While homosexuality is not illegal, there are no anti-discrimination laws in place for them, and the current crackdown is clothed in anti-obscenity laws –“protecting family values”. Over 160 people have been arrested in the last month.
At this moment in time, three Turkish LGBTQI+ advocates who are coming to Dublin for an ILGA Europe Conference this week (7 – 11 October) are desperately seeking short-term accommodation here until they can return home and live in safety. Right now, they risk arrest and imprisonment by being in Turkey.
The only public statement from Catholic leaders that we are aware of, is a statement by Bishop Ludger Schepers, the German Bishops Conference’s liaison with the LGBTQ+ community, (in Germany’s Catholic News Agency KNA, 2nd Oct). In it he emphasised the non-negotiable Catholic teaching that basic human rights must be applied to everyone, regardless of sexual or gender identity.
We Are Church Ireland asks that our Irish Bishops add their voices to that of Bishop Shepers and speak out against this violation of basic human rights. Catholic Social Justice demands no less.
7 October: Update on situation regarding Turkish delegates to ILGA Conference: The situation has been resolved. Thank God.