Received from: NASUWT, National House Building Council Staff Association
Congress notes that on the 13 September 2026, Turkish authorities launched coordinated raids targeting LGBT+ organisations, HIV-support groups, activists’ homes and venues across 12 provinces.
At least 47 people were detained; proceedings involved 162 people, 9 organisations and 16 businesses. Websites and social media accounts were blocked.
Congress condemns this escalation: the weaponisation of ‘family values’, obscenity laws and accusations of criminality to intimidate LGBT+ people, silence human rights campaigners and dismantle independent civil society.
Congress believes attacks on LGBT+ people and trade unionists follow the same authoritarian playbook: divide working people, criminalise dissent and destroy organisations capable of resistance.
Congress sends unwavering solidarity to Turkiye’s LGBT+ communities, human-rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists resisting repression.
Congress calls on the General Council to:
i. issue and immediate public condemnation; demand the release of people detained for peaceful LGBT+ association or advocacy, due process for all detainees and an end to censorship and harassment
ii. work urgently with the ITUC, ETUC, global unions, Turkish trade unions and LGBT+ organisations, led by those facing the crackdown, to coordinate practical, financial and international solidarity
iii. press the UK government to make urgent representations to Turkish authorities and act through the Council of Europe and other international institutions to defend freedom of association, expression and assembly; and
iv. encourage affiliates to publicise the crackdown, contact the Turkish embassy and support solidarity action requested by Turkish LGBT+ and trade union organisations.
Mover: National House Building Council Staff Association
Seconder: NASUWT