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Write for rights: Melike Balkan and Özgür Gür | Amnesty USA



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Write for Rights: Melike Balkan and Özgür Gür

As prominent members of the LGBTI + Solidarity Group at Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, students Melike Balkan and Özgür Gür have organized ...

As prominent members of the LGBTI + Solidarity Group at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, the students Melike Balkan and Özgür Gür have organized numerous marches, meetings and other events. You have dealt with an ever growing number of students against a backdrop of increasing homophobia and restrictions on freedom of expression in Turkey. The METU LGBTI + Solidarity Group, founded in 1996, has been organizing an annual Pride march on campus since 2011. In 2019, the university's management informed students that the Pride march planned for May 10 could not take place on campus. Unimpressed, the solidarity group held a pride sit-in instead. In response, the university called the police, who used excessive force, including tear gas, against the peaceful protesters. The police arrested at least 23 students - including Melike and Özgür - and one academic. Some of those detained did not even take part in the protest. Despite the mere exercise of their right to peaceful protest, 18 students and the academic are on trial. If found guilty, they face up to three years in prison.

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