Turkey: Dismiss Charges Against Transgender Activists
For Immediate Release
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1870/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1201896 (http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1870/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1201896)
(New York, December 23, 2010) Prosecutors must investigate the second arbitrary arrest of transgender rights defenders in Ankara in as many months and drop all charges against the women, three human rights organizations said today. In a letter to the Turkish Interior and Justice Ministries, the rights organizations called for an end to police harassment of transgender people and expressed concern over the possible targeting of members of the organization Pembe Hayat LGBTT Dayanışma Derneği.
On June 19, 2010, three human rights defenders were arbitrarily detained by police officers while driving through the Seyranbaglari Mah neighborhood in Ankara. Although the human rights defenders filed an official complaint with the Public Prosecutor. The Prosecutor dismissed their complaint and instead permitted charges against them of resisting the police and damaging public property. If convicted, they face up to three years in prison and limitations on their rights of parental guardianship. They could also be barred from public office or leadership within any political, public, or non-profit organization. The next hearing will be on 29 December 2010.