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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.  

17 April 2025 - Rutgers, the Netherlands’ leading sexual and reproductive health expert and IPPF’s Member Association, has today secured a landmark legal win against an ultra-conservative group notorious for fuelling online hate and spreading disinformation. This ruling is a crucial step forward in protecting young people’s health, safety and well-being from harmful narratives designed to undermine their rights. Rutgers took legal action against Civitas Christiana, due to the persistent lies and slander that Civitas continued to spread about Rutgers and the Spring Fever Week. This is an annual campaign in the Netherlands, held in Spring, focused on resilience, heathy relationships and sexual health. The court ruled entirely in favour of Rutgers; all statements must be rectified. The statements by Civitas - made through their social media channels, mainstream media and direct outreach efforts - were not only found to be false, but also harmful and unlawful. This important decision affirms support for parents, teachers, and schools, all who are committed to ensuring children to grow up healthy, safe and happy and protected from disinformation and misinformation. Schools participate voluntarily in Spring Fever Week by providing structured, age-appropriate lessons on these topics to their primary school students. Rutgers took these legal steps to support parents, teachers, and schools, and to combat misleading and vexatious misinformation, as our work is unapologetically about child safety and protection. It’s about giving young people agency and keeping them safe from perpetrators. Young people without information and without bodily autonomy are unsafe. This case was about standing with and for the young people, parents, caregivers, educators and communities who are targeted and harmed by these toxic campaigns run by ultra-conservative groups. The court’s ruling sends a clear message: there is no place for hate and misinformation in public discourse, especially when it endangers the lives, safety and health of young people. “This legal case was not about a difference of opinion on education,” says Rutgers deputy director Luc Lauwers, “but about the spreading of fake news that puts children in danger rather than protecting them. Everyone has the right to their own values, beliefs, opinions, religious convictions, and way of life - including in matters of education and parenting. That is a fundamental pillar of our democratic legal system in the Netherlands. However, the freedom of expression and freedom of religion that Civitas Christiana appeals to are not without limits.” Victories like this matter deeply.  At a time when sexuality education is under coordinated attack by alt-right movements globally, this victory speaks volumes about the power of civil society organisations to stand firm, fight back, and defend truth, science and young people’s rights. Anti-rights groups work to erode trust, sow fear and promote regressive narratives that do real harm - particularly to young people.  Staying silent is not an option. Every time we speak up, seek justice and share the truth, we help build a society where young people are safe, informed and healthy. This ruling is a meaningful step, but our shared global responsibility continues.  For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected] or [email protected] the International Planned Parenthood Federation  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 at the Third International Planned Parenthood Conference. Today, we are a movement of 158 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 153 countries.  Our work is wide-ranging, including comprehensive sex education, provision of contraceptive, safe abortion, and maternal care and responding to humanitarian crises. We pride ourselves on being local through our members and global through our network. At the heart of our mission is the provision of – and advocacy in support of – integrated healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, gender, sex, income, and crucially no matter how remote. About RutgersRutgers is the Dutch centre of knowledge and expertise on sexual health, safety and well-being for young people. We work to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all (young) people in the Netherlands and in more than 29 countries around the world. In partnership with other organisations we advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights, promote public support and do (scientific) research.Together with partners, we work within countries and internationally to improve sexual rights, access to sexuality education and information, access to contraception and safe abortion services and to prevent sexual and gender-based violence.

IPPF condemns the multiple school arsons across the French-speaking Wallonia region in Belgium over the past week, which have been connected to public protests against the compulsory “education in relationships, affective and sexual life” (EVRAS) program. These targeted attacks are evidence of a growing movement opposed to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curricula, and the duty of states to support and protect children in their sexual development. IPPF is deeply concerned that a small cadre of those with extremist views are targeting schools with violence, which serve as vital safe spaces for children and young people to become educated, empowered citizens.  In the face of global misinformation campaigns and attempts to silence the organizations and institutions providing high quality comprehensive sexuality education, IPPF affirms that these programs empower children and young people to protect their health and well-being and support them in developing healthy and positive relationships throughout their lives.  Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF Director General said:  “The violent attacks on schools in Belgium are proof of how anti-rights campaigners are multiplying around the world and fuelling divisions by spreading false or misleading information about existing education curricula. We know from decades of research and our own programmatic experience in this area that comprehensive sexuality education helps children and young people to understand and enjoy their sexuality, take responsibility for their own sexual and reproductive health and rights and respect other people’s. We stand with the educators in Belgium who are delivering on a sex education curriculum that promotes children and young people’s rights.”  Research shows that parents and young people agree that sexuality education should be offered in schools, and that parents are willing to join these programs, particularly as they help their children to navigate relationships and sexuality amid the complex challenges of the digital era. Many governments around the world, including Belgium, are making sexuality education programs a national priority to protect all children and young people from harm.  IPPF stands with the schools and educators delivering this vital education in Belgium and around the world, and we remain committed to providing children and young people with the knowledge to protect and promote their safety, health and wellbeing.  For media inquiries, contact [email protected]   Banner image: Shutterstock