Dear Chief Public Prosecutor

I am writing to express serious concerns regarding the prosecution of Emirhan Şaşmaz, Kerem Dikmen and

nine other members of the executive and supervisory boards of the Izmir-based Genç LGBTI+ association.

The association and its leadership face legal action for their lawful advocacy and community activities, which

are alleged to have violated Article 41 of the Constitution of Türkiye on the protection of family and children’s

rights, and therefore considered to be in breach of Article 32/1(p) of the Law on Associations.

In December 2025, the İzmir Civil Court of First Instance No. 3 ruled to dissolve Genç LGBTI+, citing

‘obscenity’ in a few illustrations shared on the association’s social media accounts between 2019 and 2022.

The Association was initially unaware of key hearings due to improper service, highlighting procedural

unfairness. It is worth noting that these allegations were previously investigated and dismissed by the Cyber

Crimes Bureau because the posts did not constitute a criminal offence.

Accusations of ‘obscenity’ and the weaponization of vague ‘morality’ laws that have led to the summary

decision to close the association and the prosecution of its board members on similar grounds represent an

unlawful restriction of their right to freedom of association and expression.

We urge you to immediately drop all the criminal charges against Genç LGBTI+ board members and uphold

Türkiye’s obligations under international human rights law.

Yours sincerely,