Letter Writing Marathon at KáCéčko

Stand up for others who need our support now. Join this year's Letter Writing Marathon.

Those who refused to stay silent in the face of injustice have often paid a high price for their courage. Human rights defenders, environmental activists, and many others around the world are imprisoned today for standing up for the rights and dignity of others. Now it's our turn to stand up for them. Get involved in this year's Letter Writing Marathon at the LGBT+ Community Center and help Amnesty free those unjustly imprisoned!

LGBTI+ RIGHTS DEFENDERS NOW FACE IMPRISONMENT.

The organization Genç LGBTI+ advocates for the rights of young LGBTI+ people in Turkey and raises awareness about discrimination facing the community there. However, local authorities are now trying to shut down their work. Recently, eleven members of the organization's executive and supervisory boards were brought to court, including the former head of Turkish Amnesty. For their peaceful and legitimate work supporting LGBTI+ rights, they all face up to three years in prison.

The Istanbul Pride march was banned by Istanbul governor's office from taking place in Taksim Square in central Istanbul and elsewhere in the city. Following last minute negotiations between police and Istanbul Pride organisers, the participants were allowed to gather in Mis Street near Taksim Square where representatives of the Pride organising committee read out a press statement. Police used tear gas and plastic bullets against Pride participants who had left Mis Street as they continued to celebrate in small groups in adjacent streets. The Istanbul Pride march has been banned by the authorities since 2015 on unlawful grounds.

How to get involved?

Visit us at the LGBT+ Community Center, where you can write a letter to members of Genç LGBTI+ (whose story you can read below) and express your support.

When can you write a letter?

The Letter Writing Marathon runs from November 15 to December 15 at the LGBT+ Community Center, where you can drop by to write a letter during our Open Thursdays between 15:00 – 21:00. Alternatively, if you're planning to attend another event from our program, you can write a letter as part of that event too. We'll have all the supplies you need.

The story of activism from Genç LGBTI+

Authorities claim that Genç LGBTI+ violated the law on associations and an article of the Turkish constitution concerning family protection and children's rights. They used several illustrations posted on social media between 2019 and 2022 as evidence. Although Turkey's cyber crime unit initially concluded that the posts constituted no criminal offense, the court later labeled them as "obscene." In December 2025, it therefore ruled for the organization's dissolution. Genç LGBTI+ has appealed the verdict.

Eleven leaders of the organization now face criminal prosecution. Additionally, Genç LGBTI+ was not initially informed of key court hearings because court documents were not properly served to them.

The situation of LGBTI+ people in Turkey has been deteriorating long-term. Pride marches have been regularly banned since 2015, and at this year's march police detained at least 50 people. The Genç LGBTI+ case is part of broader pressure on civil society and everyone defending equality and human dignity.

We demand: Immediate withdrawal of all criminal charges against members of Genç LGBTI+'s executive and supervisory boards who are being prosecuted for their legitimate work supporting LGBTI+ rights.

WILL YOU STAND WITH US FOR DEFENDERS OF LGBTI+ RIGHTS?

What can the Letter Writing Marathon achieve?

Every year, people around the world unite in one of the largest human rights actions – the Letter Writing Marathon. Millions of handwritten messages, postcards, and emails flood the offices of the powerful worldwide in such quantities that they cannot be ignored. Thanks to the Marathon, we've already managed to help dozens of unjustly imprisoned people, whether through their release, access to medical care, or stopping torture.