fbpx

Turkey to Build Prison for Victimised LGBT Convicts

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email

So many LGBT convicts in Turkey are being persecuted by heterosexual inmates that a new LGBT-only prison facility will be built to house them. In a response to a member of parliament’s question about the treatment of minority groups in gaol, Bekir Bozdag, Turkey’s Minister of Justice, said that the measure was necessary to ensure proper protection of LGBTs.

A recent study shows that there are approximately 80 openly LGBT offenders held in so-called ‘pink wards’ in Turkish prisons, although the true number is likely to be far higher than that because many LGBTs keep their true sexual persuasion a secret for fear of being victimised.

This new announcement is seen by many as a sad indictment of the way Turkey treats its gay and lesbian community. In recent months European Union spokespeople have questioned whether Turkey’s poor record on human and LGBT rights should preclude them from joining the EU.

Turkey’s ‘pink prison’ initiative is thought to have been inspired by Italy which, in 2010, opened Europe’s first ever prison for transgender convicts.

Latest NEWS

Also see

If only the world was as “open-minded” as us… Alas, matters of sexual identity and equal love, often cause so much friction in the rest of the world. Here, find an open dialogue on the issues facing our LGBT community.

Sign up for our newsletter.

Get the best of what’s queer, right to your inbox.

hey
beautiful,

come here often?

drop us a line

or try to find it on our website