URGENT ACTION

ACTIVISTS RELEASED FROM PRE-TRIAL DETENTION
Activists Hivda Selen, Sinem Çelebi and Doğan Nur were arbitrarily detained on the day of the Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride march on 29 June and were remanded in pre-trial detention on 30 June on baseless charges under the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations. Doğan Nur was released on 30 July, following an appeal by his lawyer.  On 8 August, Sinem Çelebi and Hivda Selen were released at their first hearing in the prosecution of 53 people including them after the trial court ruled to release them pending their prosecution.

NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUESTED. MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT APPEALS.

Activists Hivda Selen, Sinem Çelebi and Doğan Nur were among over 100 people arbitrarily detained on the day of Istanbul LGBTI Pride March on 29 June. While others were released with judicial control measures, the three activists were remanded in pre-trial detention the next day. This was the first time since the ban on Pride marches in 2015 that individuals detained for exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly by participating or allegedly participating in Prides were remanded in prison detention, marking a further escalation in the crackdown on the right to peaceful assembly and targeting of LGBTI rights related activism. 

Doğan Nur was released on 30 July, following an appeal by his lawyer.  On 8 August, Sinem Çelebi and Hivda Selen were also released at their first hearing in the prosecution of 53 people including them after the trial court ruled to release them pending their prosecution.

Many thanks to all those who sent appeals to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor calling for the three activists’ release and for the charges to be dropped. While their prosecution will continue with the next hearing set for 24 December, the three activists’ release from pre-trial detention is very welcome.

Doğan Nur sent the following message of thanks to all those who took action on his behalf: “The ever-expanding patterns of repression and intimidation, coupled with detentions have become a form of punishment in Türkiye. In such a climate, it is more vital than ever that we build social solidarity and speak out against the increasing unlawfulness. With the urgent action that Amnesty International launched on behalf of us, many people have heard about it and joined the quest for justice to ensure this unlawful detention ends. I would like to thank Amnesty International and its supporters for their contribution to this process. Solidarity keeps us going!’’

NAMES AND PRONOUNS: Hivda Selen (she/her), Sinem Çelebi (she/her), Doğan Nur (he/him)

THIS IS THE SECOND AND FINAL OUTPUT FOR UA 69/25

LINK TO PREVIOUS UA: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/EUR44/0133/2025/en/