Amnesty International has launched a forceful appeal for the immediate release of 53 individuals detained during the banned Pride march in Istanbul this past July. These detainees are facing trial on charges of defying a city governor's prohibition on Pride gatherings, with their court proceedings set to commence this Friday.

The international rights organization’s demand highlights a stark contradiction with a 2023 ruling by the Committee of Ministers of the European Court of Human Rights. This decision admonished Türkiye to stop the arrest and prosecution of protesters engaged in peaceful demonstrations, aligning with Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights which safeguards the freedom of assembly.

The ongoing ban on Pride events in Istanbul, now in its ninth year, is enforced under Article 19 of Law 2911, which permits such prohibitions for various reasons including national security and public morality. However, many rights groups argue that the blanket ban lacks substantial justification and excessively infringes on freedoms, particularly criticizing the use of "torture" tactics by police against Pride participants, as documented in several reports.

This legal and human rights controversy occurs against a backdrop of increasing normalization of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment from state officials, particularly following the Turkish elections in 2023. Such rhetoric has reportedly fueled the targeting of LGBTQ+ groups, exacerbating the challenges they face.

Despite the Turkish constitution formally protecting freedom of assembly, the practical application of this right has deteriorated significantly since the coup attempts of 2015 and 2016. This was further exacerbated during a two-year-long state of emergency, during which LGBTQ+ groups were purportedly singled out by authorities.

As the trial date nears, international eyes are on Türkiye, watching how it navigates this complex intersection of national law, international human rights obligations, and the fundamental freedoms of its citizens.