10/11/2026 | Writer: Kaos GL
In an indictment dated November 2, prepared as part of the “My Family Is Safe” operations, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested the dissolution of SPoD and the punishment of four people, two of whom are being tried while held in pretrial detention.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested the dissolution of the Social Policy, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPoD) in an indictment dated November 2, 2026, prepared as part of the “My Family Is Safe” operations launched on September 12. The prosecutor's office also sought the punishment of four founding members of the association, two of whom are being tried while held in pretrial detention, on charges of violating the Law on Associations.
According to SPoD's statement, the prosecutor's office alleged that the association had acted beyond the objectives set out in its bylaws and that its activities were contrary to the law and morality. The association's 15 years of work on LGBTI+ rights, activity reports, events and solidarity initiatives were cited as grounds for the dissolution request.
Work on LGBTI+ employment described as “creating divisions within the state”
SPoD stated that the indictment characterized its work on LGBTI+ employment as an attempt to “create divisions within the state.” The association also noted that its efforts to establish spaces of solidarity against discrimination faced by LGBTI+ people, as well as its social media posts promoting these activities, were treated as grounds for criminal accusations.
SPoD quoted the indictment as follows:
“Our efforts to create spaces of solidarity against marginalization and to publicize them on social media are included in the indictment as evidence of a crime, described as ‘the domination of the majority by a minority in violation of the Constitution and the law.’”
The association also stated that a social media post about the documentary My Child, which features the experiences of parents of LGBTI+ people, had been used against it in the indictment. SPoD responded:
“In an operation called ‘My Family Is Safe,’ the fact that we amplified the voices of families who stand by their children is being used against us.”
“Our 15 years of work are being used as grounds to shut us down”
In its statement following the dissolution request, SPoD recalled that it had worked since its establishment to ensure that LGBTI+ people could live equal and free lives without discrimination or violence. Condemning the criminalization of its rights advocacy activities, the association stated:
“We worked so that LGBTI+ people could live equal and free lives without discrimination or violence. We created spaces of solidarity, provided legal and psychosocial support, worked together and stood side by side.”
The statement emphasized that its 15 years of activities were being cited as grounds for its dissolution:
“Now, the work we have carried out for 15 years, our activity reports, events and practices of solidarity are being used as grounds for demanding the dissolution of our association. Yes, we did all of these things. And we would do them all again!”
SPoD stated that the dissolution request targeted not only its own activities but also freedom of association:
“Because we know that organizing is not a crime; it is a right. Defending LGBTI+ rights, showing solidarity and coming together are not crimes. The dissolution request against SPoD today targets not just one association, but the right of all of us to organize.”
SPoD calls for solidarity at November 18 hearing
SPoD called for solidarity ahead of the hearing scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, at 1:30 p.m. at the Istanbul 27th Criminal Court of First Instance in Çağlayan Courthouse.
The association invited all human rights organizations, democratic civil society organizations, trade unions, professional associations and members of the press to follow the proceedings.
Tags: human rights, media, life, lgbti
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