AI: discrimination against LGBT problem in TurkeyJune 21, 2011 - 16:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is a problem in Turkey, and a new report made public Tuesday, June 21, is urging the new government to take measures to protect their rights, Hürriyet Daily News reported. “It is the responsibility of all the parties in Parliament to ensure that any new constitutional reforms in Turkey outlaws discrimination on grounds of sexuality or gender identity,” said Andrew Gardner, Amnesty International’s researcher on Turkey. Entitled “Not an illness, nor a crime,” the report said lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, people in Turkey demand equality. The report cited interviews with people who faced discrimination from officials in health services, education, housing and the workplace in a country where there are no provisions to prevent it. The report is based on research carried out by Amnesty International (AI), delegates in January and February in five cities across Turkey – Ankara, Diyarbakır, Eskişehir, Istanbul and İzmir. Individual case information indicated in the report is based on 70 interviews with the individuals concerned, NGOs or groups working with the individuals, plus their friends and supporters, court documents and other official documentation. One of the stunning cases mentioned in the report was the murder of Ahmet Yıldız. The 26-year-old openly gay man living with his partner in Istanbul was shot dead on July 15, 2008, in what many believe to be an “honor killing.” Gardner said that despite the complaint, the criminal investigation was not carried out effectively, which allowed the father, the main suspect, to flee from the country without questioning. “The pervasive prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Turkey and the fear of ostracism and attacks, means that many feel compelled to conceal their sexual orientation – even from their families,” the report argued. Gardner said that even during their interviews, they experienced many challenges such as concerns about revealing their identity. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |