We are aware of the fact that homophobic violence is threanening the life of Turkish LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual) individuals in the Turkish community and it is, sadly, increasing. The violations of Human Rights against LGBT individuals continiues to target this part of the Turkish social fabric, causing lack of security, suffering yet deadly occurrences to those Turkish citizens.

The unfortunate news delivered from our friends in Turkey reported that Ahmet Yildiz was shot to death on 15 July 2008 in Istanbul and Dilek Ince was shot to death on 12 November 2008 in Ankara. In short-time to grief the loss of the above individuals, Ebru Soykan was stabbed to death on 10 March 2009 in Istanbul. Nevertheless, these inhuman and cold-blooded attacks continue, trageting this time a transsexual woman that was attacked and beaten in Eskisehir. Unluckily, another transsexual woman was found beheaded and decaptated in Bursa in addition to a man that has been killed by his friend on the claim that he asked for sexual intercourse.

Our concern is that the Republic of Turkey is not taking any direct action to enforce legal protection on this targeted group to avoid human rights violations against LGBT individuals.
LGBT people now in the Repulic of Turkey are being destitute from their constitutional rights of being protected by the law and the governemnt itself. Such hate crimes cannot be ignored by the international community due to their inhumanity and violations of one’s freedom that is constitutional and cherished by the law.

Since Turkey is one of the countries that guaranteed to pertain the International Declarations of Human Rights (and the European Union), we ask the Republic of Turkey to protect LGBT indviduals as other individuals in the Turkish society, to define crimes against LGBT individuals as “hate crimes”, to abolish discrimination based on gender and sexuality matters and to punish murderers of LGBT individual.

Looking forward for your answer,

Thank you for reading our opinion.

Helem – Lebanese Protection for LGBTIQ
Tel: +961 1 745092
Email: lgbtq-centre@helem.net

Addressed to:
Mr. Serdar Kiliç
The Ambassador of the Rebublic of Turkey in Lebanon
Turkish Embassy, Rabieh, Zone II, 1st Street, Metn, Lebanon
8th of April 2009