Grindr CEO George Arison urged the U.S. and its European allies to pressure Turkey to end raids targeting LGBTQ+ and HIV advocacy groups.
On Sept. 13, Turkish police began coordinated raids. Dozens of people were detained. Multiple associations were targeted in the raids. On Sept. 15, protests were going on outside the Istanbul courthouse, calling for the activists’ release. Police also detained dozens at that protest.
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty called for the release of anyone detained for human rights or civil society work.
Esther Major, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for Europe, said, “This appalling escalation in Türkiye’s crackdown amounts to a full-scale assault on LGBTI rights and those who defend them.”
In his Sept. 16 LinkedIn post, Arison urged the U.S. and its European allies to put pressure on Turkey. Arison reminded his followers that Turkey blocked Grindr in 2013. His concern is that now they are targeting organizations whose work is to provide care, safety and community to the people there. “This is state-sanctioned terrorization of innocent people,” he wrote on LinkedIn.
He said Turkey’s ambition to join the European Union must come with a commitment to human rights, including gay rights.
“We welcome the European Commission’s concern. But concern has to lead to action.”
“The United States and our European allies have the power and influence to pressure Türkiye to end this persecution. They should use it,” Arison wrote.
