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Brussels / Istanbul, 13 July 2026 - Amid an escalating crackdown on LGBTQI+ communities in Türkiye, Repro Uncensored, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), ÜniKuir Association and Kaos GL are raising alarm over the suspension of more than 120 LGBTQI+ and feminist social media accounts across major social media platforms beginning on 19 June 2026, according to documentation compiled by Turkish civil society organizations. Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, but the annual Pride march has been almost systematically banned and suppressed since 2015. This year's suspensions coincided with the violent suppression of Pride Month events by Turkish authorities, widespread police violence, arbitrary detentions, and broader restrictions on freedom of expression, severely limiting organizations' ability to share urgent safety information, document human rights violations, and support their communities.As authorities intensified restrictions on public assembly, Pride Month events across Türkiye were systematically targeted. Pride marches in Kuşadası, Ankara, İstanbul Trans Pride, İzmir, and İstanbul were banned or violently dispersed. At least 125 people were detained, while journalists, activists, and community organizers reported increased police surveillance, arbitrary arrests, and broader restrictions on civic space. During the same period, the widespread suspension of LGBTQI+ and feminist social media accounts significantly undermined civil society organizations' ability to communicate with affected communities, provide legal information, document abuses, and coordinate emergency responses at a moment of acute need.The suspensions in Türkiye form part of a broader global pattern of platform censorship affecting organizations working on sexual and reproductive health and rights, LGBTQI+ rights, gender equality, public health, and democratic participation. Repro Uncensored has documented more than 500 incidents of account suspensions, content removals, shadow banning, and other forms of platform enforcement in 2026 alone.Just days before these events, Repro Uncensored convened a press conference at the European Parliament with MEP Alexandra Geese (Greens/EFA) and affected organizations to warn of the growing censorship of lawful public interest content across major social media platforms. The suspensions in Türkiye further demonstrate that these are not isolated incidents, but part of a broader pattern with serious implications for freedom of expression, democratic participation, and human rights.The events in Türkiye also follow recent waves of platform enforcement affecting abortion rights organizations in Poland, queer organizations in the Netherlands and Germany, feminist creators across Europe, and civil society organizations documenting human rights violations in multiple regions. Taken together, these incidents raise growing concerns about the role of major technology platforms in restricting access to lawful information during moments of political crisis and civic mobilization."The events in Türkiye demonstrate how digital censorship and offline repression increasingly reinforce one another. Silencing civil society online while communities face repression on the streets accelerates the erosion of democratic space. With more than 500 cases documented this year, these are not isolated incidents—they reflect a broader pattern of opaque platform governance with profound implications for freedom of expression, democratic participation, and human rights."  — Martha Dimitratou, Founder & Executive Director, Repro Uncensored"Algorithms are never neutral. When LGBTQI+ and feminist organisations are silenced during Pride Month, the impact extends far beyond social media - it essentially denies people access to vital health information, solidarity and support. Technology companies cannot claim to champion inclusion while allowing their platforms to erase the very communities they say they stand with." — Micah Grzywnowicz, European Network Regional Director, IPPF"This year, Pride events across Türkiye were met with bans, police violence, and arbitrary detentions, while the social media accounts used to organize, document violations, and support communities were suspended or restricted. For LGBTI+ students and young people, these platforms are essential for information, safety, and solidarity. Silencing them during Pride further isolates communities already facing repression." — İzot Ergün, ÜniKuir Association"The suspension of social media accounts should be understood as a violation of civil society organizations' rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association. However, the more critical issue is that these actions also prevent rights holders from accessing essential services, constituting discrimination and violating the principle of non-discrimination. LGBTQI+ people seeking counselling and support, including services related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), are being denied access to these vital resources. This amounts to a direct obstruction of the right to health." — Umut Güner, General Coordinator, KAOS GLRepro Uncensored, IPPF, ÜniKuir Association, and KAOS GL call on Meta and X to urgently investigate the suspensions, provide meaningful transparency regarding enforcement decisions, restore accounts that were removed in error, and ensure accessible and effective mechanisms for appeal and redress. The organizations also urge policymakers and regulators to examine the broader human rights implications of opaque platform governance, particularly when moderation actions coincide with moments of political unrest, protests, and restrictions on civic space.The ability of civil society organizations to communicate online has become indispensable to democratic participation, freedom of expression, public health, and access to human rights information. Ensuring that lawful organizations can continue reaching their communities without arbitrary interruption is fundamental to protecting civic space in the digital age.For more information or to speak to one of our spokespeople, contact:Martha DimitratouFounder & Executive Director, Repro [email protected] WilliamsInternational Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)[email protected]İzot ErgünÜniKuir Association from [email protected] GünerGeneral Coordinator, KAOS GL from [email protected] Repro UncensoredRepro Uncensored is a global nonprofit documenting digital suppression and supporting organizations affected by discriminatory moderation systems. Through multilingual incident tracking, its global censorship map, research, and cultural advocacy, Repro Uncensored works with sexual and reproductive health organizations, queer collectives, and cultural communities to ensure their content remains accessible. The organization also supports account reinstatements and leads work on emerging forms of technology-enabled harm, including AI-driven abuse.About The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)The International Planned Parenthood Federation is a global healthcare provider and advocacy organization working in over 140 countries to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights. It delivers essential services, including contraception and safe abortion care, and advocates for access to accurate information and bodily autonomy worldwide.About ÜniKuir AssociationÜniKuir Association is a legally registered non-governmental organization based in Türkiye. It works to support LGBTI+ youth and university students through human rights advocacy, access to accurate information, solidarity, awareness-raising, and the promotion of safer, more equal, and inclusive university environments. Through educational initiatives, rights monitoring, support for student communities, and advocacy for youth participation in social and decision-making processes, ÜniKuir works to advance equality, strengthen civic participation, and protect the rights of LGBTI+ people across Türkiye. About KAOS GLKAOS GL is a rights-based non-governmental organization in Türkiye committed to fostering an equal and inclusive society through scientific, cultural, social, artistic, and educational programs that combat all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and individual sexual characteristics. Founded in 1994, KAOS GL emerged with a simple yet powerful mission: to protect the lives of the LGBTQI community and loudly say, "We exist. We live in a society that is not only sexist but also heterosexist." The organization’s work is structured around four core strategic programs: Academic and Cultural Studies, Human Rights, Media and Communication, and Refugee Rights.  

March 13th, 2025 - A new project titled “Preventing Maternal and Reproductive Health Morbidities and Mortalities Among Crisis-Affected Populations, IDPs, Syrian Refugees, and Host Communities in Lebanon” has officially launched. Funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by IPPF Member Association, SALAMA (The Lebanese Association for Family Health), this project aims to enhance and sustain high-quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for Lebanon’s crisis-affected populations  Following the ceasefire in Lebanon last year, the need for comprehensive SRH services remains urgent, as many people continue to struggle to access essential maternal, newborn, and reproductive healthcare. Internally displaced people, Syrian refugees, and local host communities in the Beqaa Valley require multifaceted interventions that include not only clinical care but also psychosocial support, medical services, and targeted community outreach.  This project addresses these needs by providing quality, clinic-based SRH services for women, youth, and other marginalised groups to reduce SRH-related mortality and morbidity and to improve care for survivors of gender-based violence. Additionally, community outreach and capacity-building programs will empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health.  Key activities include:  Clinical services: Offering high quality, rights-based, and client-centered SRH care, including specialised maternal, newborn, and child health services such as safe delivery and newborn care. Distribution of kits: Providing pregnant and postpartum women with ‘mama-baby’ kits, as well as dignity and sanitary kits containing essential hygiene items for key populations.  Community outreach: Conducting awareness sessions and collaborative events on SRHR, family planning, gender-based violence, and HIV.  Capacity building: Training service providers and peer educators in comprehensive SRHR service delivery and developing educational materials.  H.E. Ambassador MAGOSHI Masayuki stated, “Ensuring that crisis-affected communities have access to quality maternal and reproductive health services is a matter of human rights and dignity, hence human security. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in Lebanon and underscores the critical importance of sexual and reproductive health to foster resilient communities.”  Lina Sabre, Executive Director of SALAMA, noted, “The health and well-being of our mothers, children, and families are paramount. Through this project, we are dedicated to providing life-saving services and empowering communities, even in times of crisis, with the knowledge they need to make informed health decisions.”  Dr. Fadoua Bakhadda, Regional Director of the IPPF Arab World Regional Office, added, “This project will be for transformative for women in Lebanon. This funding ensures the continued provision of essential sexual and reproductive healthcare, and the safety for pregnant mothers and newborns." Over the course of this project, it is anticipated that:  28,000 crisis-affected individuals will gain access to essential SRH services,  84,000 SRH service interventions will be delivered, and  Nearly 37,000 people will be reached through comprehensive awareness initiatives.    About SALAMA  SALAMA, the Lebanese Association for Family Health, is an NGO founded in 2008 under the statement of registration No 1740. SALAMA advocates for sexual and reproductive health and rights SRHR by inducing the concerned authorities in Lebanon to support and protect SRHR, promotes and provides high quality SRH services (for children, young people, men and women), and raises awareness for all groups in the society (particularly the underserved and marginalized) in order that they make informed decisions regarding their SRHR.   About IPPF Arab World Office  International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Arab World Office: IPPF is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952. Today, we are a movement of over 120 autonomous member associations and 23 collaborative partners with a presence in 146 countries. Established in 1971 the  IPPF Arab World Region (IPPF AWR) is one of IPPF’s six regional offices. Based in Tunis, it is the leading Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) service delivery organization in North Africa and the Middle East, and the leading Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. 

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Nearly a year into targeted, reproductive violence against Palestinian women and girls, and the bombing of our reproductive health site in Gaza; IPPF readies itself for a fresh wave of attacks against its health workers and clinics in Lebanon.  "Our healthcare workers in Lebanon are under attack. 70% of them are women. The facilities where women come and access life-saving reproductive services have already been destroyed in Gaza. Now the world is forced to watch another horrific spectacle of the same war crimes being committed in Lebanon.” “We demand all governments - including the U.S., Germany, UK and others - that are supplying these weapons that kill, maim and displace our fellow healthcare workers to stop. We demand an end to the killing of ALL civilians; we will not be silenced, we will continue to collect evidence and talk about these crimes against our collective humanity,” said Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, Director General, International Planned Parenthood Federation.  Israel's indiscriminate attacks on Gaza have had devastating consequences for women's reproductive health. The attacks on our own health site, on hospitals and maternal health sites significantly limited access to care. We are experiencing this in Sudan too; clinics destroyed, men’s use of violence against our health workers, and rape used as a weapon of war.   In Palestine, obstetric and reproductive violence have been evidenced as a feature of Israel’s violence; we are urgently ringing all alarm bells before these crimes are repeated against women and girls in Lebanon.  “Our staff are terrified; they are running for their lives. Contact with our team is limited - health care workers are too scared to use their phones. We fear not just for our colleagues; but for every single woman and girl. Once again, the very essence of humanity is at stake, as though women, children, and all human beings are merely numbers,” said Lina Sabra, Executive Director of IPPF Member Association in Lebanon, SALAMA. Lebanon is experiencing its deadliest days since the country’s civil war ended in 1990. The acceleration in killing over the past few days amid the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah is only made possible by powerful countries with a vested interest in the continuation of this war.  We remind all parties that acts of obstetric and reproductive violence have been prosecuted as crimes against humanity.

The unmet need for contraceptives is estimated to have soared to nearly 50% in some parts of Turkiye, including Hatay province, following the earthquakes on 6 February 2023. This is a worrying trend, as the unmet need had already been on the rise from 6% in 2013 to 12% in 2018 in Turkiye.  The Association of Public Health Specialists (HASUDER), IPPF’s local partner in Türkiye, is the only provider of contraception in some camps for internally-displaced persons (IDPs) following the devastating 7.8 and 7.6 earthquakes that killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and displaced millions. Professor Bülent Kılıç, head of HASUDER, said that while government services are mandated to deliver contraceptive supplies to health clinics inside IDP camps, services have generally focused on pregnancy and birth services. He said: ”Physicians who provide contraceptive methods, including inserting intrauterine devices (IUDs) are rare or fully absent. There is no awareness about this service gap.” Kılıç also describes serious hygiene problems for women in the camps, where basic needs such as clean toilets and bathrooms are not being met. Kılıç continued: “We have seen that contraceptive services are only provided in gynaecology clinics in hospitals, and even then it is offered very little and only if requested. This issue is related to the government's perspective on women and women's rights.” HASUDER’s reproductive health unit, which was established with support from IPPF and Hatay Municipality in Lions and Mersin Municipality Tent City in Hatay, has been providing sexual and reproductive health services to 3,000 people since March 2023. These services include maternal and neonatal care, contraceptive care, safe abortion care, and counselling for sexual and gender-based violence. HASUDER is providing contraceptive methods including intrauterine devices, oral contraceptives and condoms, but reports that underwear, sanitary pads, birth control pills, emergency contraception pills and condoms are still among the most needed items for women. HASUDER has also reported a rise in unplanned pregnancies due to the dearth of contraceptives available. Violence against women and girls - already a serious issue in Turkey - is exacerbated in every humanitarian emergency, and persists in the IDP camps. IPPF estimates that 3.9 million women of reproductive age, over 175,000 pregnant women, and more than 1.2 million adolescent girls (aged 10-19) were affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye. We anticipate more than 8,700 currently pregnant women will experience delivery complications. For media enquiries, please contact [email protected] or Nerida Williams, Senior Humanitarian Communications Advisor, [email protected]  About the International Planned Parenthood Federation The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global service provider and advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.  For 70 years, IPPF, through its 118 Member Associations and seven partners, has delivered high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare and helped advance sexual rights, especially for people with intersectional and diverse needs that are currently unmet. Our Member Associations and partners are independent organisations that are locally owned, which means the support and care they provide is informed by local expertise and context. We advocate for a world where people have the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity - no matter what.