Irish LGBTQI+ organisations to hold solidarity demonstration in Dublin as part of International Day of Action for LGBTQI+ rights in Turkey

Irish LGBTQI+ organisations, allies and supporters will gather in Dublin on Wednesday 30 September 2026 as part of an International Day of Solidarity called for by the LGBTQI+ movement in Turkey.

The demonstration will take place at 6.00pm outside the European Parliament Liaison Office in Dublin City Centre, bringing together organisations and individuals in solidarity with LGBTQI+ activists, human rights defenders and independent civil society organisations facing an escalating crackdown in Turkey. 

It will call for the Turkish authorities to end the coordinated crackdown on LGBTQI+ civil society, and for the Irish Government to take all available diplomatic measures to address the situation, and protect LGBTQI+ communities and civil society. The demonstration will take place outside the European Parliament Liaison Office to highlight the responsibility of European institutions and governments to respond to attacks on human rights, democracy and independent civil society.

The action follows a joint letter sent to Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee TD, by 20 LGBTQI+ community organisations and groups in Ireland. The letter calls on the Irish Government to take immediate and concrete diplomatic action, including raising the situation directly with the Turkish authorities, advocating for the protection and humane treatment of people detained, and maintaining support for independent LGBTQI+ civil society and human rights defenders.

The Dublin demonstration is being organised in response to calls from LGBTQI+ colleagues and the wider movement in Turkey for international solidarity and coordinated action outside Turkish diplomatic and European institutions. Solidarity actions are expected to take place across Europe and beyond.

The organisations involved are deeply concerned about the reported targeting of LGBTQI+ organisations, activists, human rights defenders and community spaces, as well as reports concerning the treatment and safety of LGBTQI+ people in detention and prison.

Recent reporting by international human rights organisations has documented arrests and detention following coordinated raids on LGBTQI+ organisations and other locations in Turkey, alongside concerns about restrictions on civil society, freedom of association and freedom of expression.

The demonstration will call for:

• An immediate end to the targeting and criminalisation of LGBTQI+ people, organisations, activists and human rights defenders in Turkey.
• The release of people detained or imprisoned solely in connection with legitimate human rights activity or the exercise of fundamental freedoms.
• Safe, humane and non-discriminatory detention conditions, including access to essential medication, hygiene supplies, clean water and protection from harm.
• Respect for freedom of association, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and the rule of law.
• Urgent and sustained diplomatic action by the Irish Government, including engagement with Turkish authorities and monitoring of relevant legal proceedings.
• The European Union and its institutions to raise the situation with the Turkish authorities and ensure that human rights, civic space and the protection of human rights defenders are addressed in EU relations with Turkey.
• Continued and strengthened support for independent LGBTQI+ organisations and human rights defenders in Turkey, including protection for legitimate international cooperation and funding.

Tim Hanley, Policy and Research Manager, LGBT Ireland, said:

“Today, LGBTQI+ organisations, community members and allies in Ireland are standing alongside the LGBTQI+ community in Turkey to say that they are not alone. We are holding this demonstration because our colleagues in the LGBTQI+ movement in Turkey have called for international solidarity. And because we believe solidarity must translate into action. The targeting of LGBTQI+ people, activists, human rights defenders and independent civil society is an attack not only on LGBTQI+ rights, but on freedom of association, freedom of expression, civic space and the rule of law.

“The Irish Government and the European Union cannot respond to this escalation with expressions of concern alone. They must use their diplomatic and political influence to press the Turkish authorities to end this crackdown, release those detained for legitimate human rights activity, and ensure the safety and dignity of everyone in detention. They must also stand firmly behind the independent civil society organisations and human rights defenders who continue their vital work under enormous pressure.”

The participating organisations emphasise that the situation in Turkey is not only an LGBTQI+ rights concern. It raises wider questions about the protection of human rights defenders, freedom of association and expression, due process, the rule of law and the space available to independent civil society. The organisations are calling for concrete action rather than expressions of concern, and for the Irish Government and European institutions to respond to the requests of the LGBTQI+ movement in Turkey.