Lead

Turkish police on Sunday detained at least 50 people, including a journalist, during a Gay Pride event in Istanbul that went ahead despite a ban by local authorities and the lockdown of the city's main gathering point, organisers said. The event, which unfolded across several neighborhoods, marked another chapter in the annual Pride march that has faced increasing restrictions.

Coverage Comparison

The detentions, the participation despite the ban, and the journalist's arrest were reported by both France 24 (English) and the South China Morning Post. The two outlets also noted the Istanbul Bar Association's banner reading 'LGBT is human rights.' However, France 24 provided additional context, including that homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has frequently targeted the LGBT community, and that the annual Pride march has been almost systematically banned and suppressed since 2015. That outlet also reported a separate incident involving the closure of an Istanbul gay bar. The South China Morning Post did not include these details in its coverage.

Key Claims

  • Turkish police detained at least 50 people during a Gay Pride event in Istanbul. The event went ahead despite a ban by local authorities. This was reported by both outlets.
  • A journalist, identified by the Turkish Journalists' Union as Muberra Unsal, was among those detained. Both outlets reported this, citing the union's statement.
  • The Istanbul Bar Association unfurled a banner reading 'LGBT is human rights' during the event, as reported by both outlets.
  • Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, a claim carried by France 24.
  • The LGBT community is frequently targeted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has blamed it for a declining birth rate. This claim was carried by France 24.
  • The annual Pride march has been almost systematically banned and suppressed since 2015, according to France 24.
  • Turkish authorities ordered an Istanbul gay bar to close over unspecified violations following protests by Islamist groups against its owner, as reported by France 24.

Perspectives

Organizers and Protesters

Organizers said the event went ahead despite the ban, and protesters chanted, "My love, today isn't over yet. In fact, we're just getting started. We're not giving up. We'll keep taking to the streets from every corner we're in," vowing to continue demonstrations.

Turkish Journalists' Union

The union said the detained journalist, Muberra Unsal, who holds a valid press card, faced "unlawful interference again this year." The union stated, "Despite repeatedly identifying herself as a journalist, Unsal was also taken into custody."

Istanbul Bar Association

The association unfurled a large banner from its building on Istiklal Avenue reading "LGBT is human rights."