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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.  

On International Women's Day 2022, Guatemala's Congress passed a law which triples the prison sentences for women seeking abortion care, prohibits same-sex marriage and further bans the teaching of comprehensive sexuality education and sexual diversity in schools, saying that teaching "anything other than heterosexuality is normal" is against the law.  The "Life and Family Protection Law" was passed by an overwhelming majority of 160 - 8 in the conservative-led Congress, but still needs to be signed by Guatemala's president, Alejandro Giammattei, in order to come into force. Under the new law, women who "have induced their own abortion or given their consent to another person to carry it out" will face a minimum of five years in jail, but the sentences could reach a maximum of 25 years. Abortion is illegal in Guatemala except in cases where the woman's life is at risk. This law is the latest of a series of laws to attack human rights across the country, including gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights. The initiative goes against human rights agreements, especially for women and LGBTI+ people and condemns and denies the diversity of families including mono-parental homes.  Eugenia Lopez Uribe, IPPF's Regional Director for Americas and the Caribbean Region, said: "It is disturbing that on International Women's Day 2022, the Guatemalan Congress passed a law that completely violates the human, sexual and reproductive rights of women, girls and marginalized people. "While countries across Latin America were celebrating the lives and rights of women, Guatemala has chosen to criminalize those making the best decision for themselves and their families, while also risking imprisoning vulnerable women and girls who have experienced sexual violence or suffered pregnancy loss. By severely limiting access to safe and post-abortion care, the law will undoubtedly lead to an increase in unsafe abortions and a decrease in prenatal care, resulting in life-long disabilities for some women and a rise in maternal deaths. "At the same time, by prohibiting same-sex marriage, limiting comprehensive sexuality education and enabling the discrimination of sexual diversity, the Guatemalan government is creating a society that fosters miseducation, stigma, intolerance and homophobia and fuelling the persecution of LGBTI and non-binary people. "IPPF strongly condemns the passing of this archaic law and demands that the Guatemalan government fulfils international human rights agreements. We stand in solidarity with affected people across Guatemala and the organizations working tirelessly to ensure that all people have the freedom to make their own choices." For media enquiries, please contact Karmen Ivey on [email protected] or [email protected]