Human Rights Watch continues to turn the heat up on Turkey. The group yesterday sent out a press release lamenting a Turkish court’s decision to dissolve Lambda Istanbul, a gay group the government found to be “immoral.” And researcher Emma Sinclair-Webb led the call:
The judge’s arbitrary decision highlights the prejudiced proceedings. If the authorities can close one organization on procedural pretexts, all of civil society is in danger.
…
The Turkish authorities must decide whether nongovernmental organizations are fair game for harassment, or full partners in a free society. Promotion of tolerance and respect for civil society by the Turkish government is key.
While it’s bad enough that Turkey continues to come down on its queers, the nation has been itching for entry into the European Union. The Union, however, requires members to treat all citizens equally.
But, then again, the Union could just be talking turkey.
Jack
Have you noticed how sexually-repressed communities put phalli into their architecture? In that one photo alone there’s at least 9.
However ‘morally pure’ they consider themselves to be, they’ve still surrounded themselves with giant cocks…we know what’s on their mind, even if they don’t.
Shabaka
LOL…Interesting observation, JACK!! But to be fair, these are remnants of a long gone era where phallic veneration was widely practiced. Think pre-arabic Egypt, ancient Greece, ancient India, etc.
Turkey can kiss good bye ANY chance at entering the EU!!!
Weegieboi
This is a f*cking joke….I had a turkish boyfriend for 4 years (I’m in Glasgow & a UK citizen…he arrived here claiming asylum due to his own country’s medieval attitude)….yet from him I gather that Turkish men (ie the REAL “straight” men) would f*ck anything that moved (male/female/animal…..they are all pretty much bi (yet not many are going to admit it)…..there is NO way on earth Turkey will get into the EU with these current policies!
V
I am a Turk (and happily not living there) and yes, many uneducated Turkish men are very ok to fuck anything (from sheep to horses to children and men). Ironically, these men are the voters of conservative, anti-gay, anti-human parties.
But a lot of us are missing the point, Turkish governments are becoming harsher towards all liberties because everyone feels EU won’t let Turkey in even if Turks change everything (including their religion) EU asks them. Thanks to France, Austria and other racist European countries that tell Turkey to change everything and then they’ll decide whether they can let the country in. Spain, Britain and others that support Turkey understand that the changes will happen through the admission process, not before.
chuck
Jack, you and I are on the very same page.
I was just gonna post the same observation, until I saw your post.
You couldn’t be more on the money.
serkan
Turk Gay Club