The decision of the Istanbul Regional Court of Appeal declaring the Tarlabaşı Community Center (Tarlabaşı Toplum Merkezi – TTM), legally non-existent marks a worrying new step in the judicial harassment targeting the organisation. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, express their deep concern over this ruling and the continued crackdown on civil society in Turkey, particularly against organisations working on LGBTIQA+ rights and gender equality, and warn of the chilling effect this is having on civil society more broadly. The Observatory calls on the Turkish authorities to immediately put an end to all acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against TTM and all other civil society organisations.
9 July 2026. On 22 April 2026, the Istanbul Regional Court of Appeal overturned a first instance judgment by the Istanbul 8. Civil Court of Peace that had dismissed proceedings seeking to declare TTM legally non-existent. The case, initiated by the Istanbul Governorship in October 2021 under Article 87/1 of the Turkish Civil Code, argued that TTM had ceased to exist because one of the objectives set out in its statute had allegedly become impossible to fulfil following the end of an initial pilot project developed with Istanbul Bilgi University. In May 2024, the first instance court rejected these arguments, finding that TTM continued to pursue its remaining statutory objectives. Both the expert report submitted in that case and the first instance court’s judgment had been favourable to TTM, marking the organisation’s strongest legal victory since the harassment campaign against it began, exactly five years ago, in June 2021. However, the appellate court reversed that decision and ruled that TTM has been legally non-existent since 2007. TTM has once again appealed this ruling before the Court of Cassation and is therefore continuing its activities in the meantime.
The Observatory recalls that this case is one of two judicial proceedings brought against TTM since 2021. A separate dissolution case, initiated in February 2022 under Article 89 of the Turkish Civil Code on the grounds of an alleged "breach of law and morality", remains pending before the first instance court, with the next hearing scheduled for 16 September 2026. Taken together, these proceedings form part of a sustained campaign of judicial harassment that has targeted TTM for the past five years because of its work promoting gender equality and supporting vulnerable communities in the Tarlabaşı neighbourhood of Istanbul.
The Observatory notes with particular concern that TTM’s inclusive approach to gender equality has placed the organisation in the crosshairs of the anti-gender movement and exposed it to increasing pressure from public authorities. The appellate court’s decision comes shortly after the dissolution of Genç LGBTİ+ Association and at a time when discussions continue on the so-called 12th Judicial Package and other legislation reportedly including further restrictive provisions targeting the rights of LGBTI+ persons. The decision against TTM reflects therefore a broader pattern of attacks affecting organisations promoting inclusive gender equality and the rights of LGBTI+ persons.
The Observatory further recalls that the proceedings against TTM do not constitute an isolated case. In recent years, civil society organisations in Turkey have increasingly faced dissolution proceedings and other forms of judicial and administrative harassment. In its 2023 report on closure cases, the Observatory documented how these proceedings have become an increasingly common tool to restrict freedom of association and silence civil society organisations. The ruling against TTM confirms this alarming trend and is likely to further reinforce the chilling effect already experienced by civil society actors throughout the country.
The Observatory is concerned that this harassment campaign extends beyond TTM’s own rights to freedom of expression and association, affecting the equal access to rights of the residents of Tarlabaşı who rely on the organisation’s services.
Turkey, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), is bound to guarantee the rights to freedom of association and freedom of expression under Articles 22 and 19 of the ICCPR and Articles 11 and 10 of the ECHR. Any restriction on these rights must be prescribed by law, pursue a legitimate aim and remain strictly necessary and proportionate in a democratic society.
The Observatory expresses its concern at the reliance on civil proceedings to retroactively strip a long-standing, legitimate organisation of its legal existence, rather than on transparent, evidence-based legal mechanisms. It is particularly concerned that such proceedings are deployed repeatedly and in parallel against the same organisation over several years, raising serious questions regarding legal certainty and the right to an effective remedy, and are used to silence civil society.
The Observatory calls on the Turkish authorities to put an immediate end to all acts of judicial and administrative harassment against TTM and other civil society organisations and to fully guarantee the rights to freedom of association and freedom of expression. It further calls on Turkish authorities to refrain from adopting or applying any legislative provisions, including under so-called Judicial Packages or other bills, that would further restrict the rights of LGBTI+ persons and the organisations defending them, and to ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Turkey.
