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Turkey: Transvestite and Transsexual Community Under Continued Police Attack
08/01/1996

Reports from the Turkish gay group, Lambda Istanbul state that Turkey's transsexual and transvestite community is facing vicious attacks from police in Istanbul, including torture while in police custody. The intimidation and violent actions of the police began prior to the United Nations Conference of Human Settlements (Habitat II), held in Istanbul in early June, and continues to this day. Many believe the actions may have begun as an effort to "clean-up" the city for foreign visitors.

On Ulker Street, home of many transvestites, the police are now a common sight. Police are reportedly using neighborhood informants to determine when transvestites have returned to their homes, at which point, axe-bearing policemen enter their home destroying doors and furniture. According to Lambda, transsexuals and transvestites taken from their homes are then brought into the police station where they are reportedly beaten with batons. In a street that normally houses 70 transvestites and transsexuals only seventeen continue to defy the police, in constant fear for their lives. The remainder have taken refuge in the homes of friends or are hostages in their own homes, refusing to turn on the lights or leave for fear of police.

According to other sources in Turkey, police have allegedly burned down the homes of known transsexuals. Some transsexuals and transvestites who were taken into custody have also reported that they were asked to select the instruments with which they were to be tortured. Those who refuse get beaten with all of them. The reported acts of cruelty against persons detained by the police are in clear violation of Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which states "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel and degrading treatment or punishment."

Unable to find other work and abandoned by their families, many of the transvestite and transsexuals attempt to make a living as sex workers. In Turkey prostitution has been legalized, but only women may obtain permits. While this could be used to prosecute some of these transsexuals, it is reported that no proof of illegal activity is required for the police to arrest transvestites and transsexuals. Simply living on Ulker Street has been making transsexuals and transvestites the victims of police action. No formal charges have been lodged against any of the transsexuals who have been arrested.

Despite repeated pleas from several victims and Turkey's Human Rights Association (IHD) for a thorough investigation to the public prosecutors office, no investigation into the police action is currently underway. Article 8 of the UDHR grants everyone the right to effective remedy by competent tribunal for acts violating the fundamentals rights granted by the law. However, none of these pleas have resulted in legal cases being brought against the alleged abusers.

Suleyman Ulusoy was recently re-appointed Commander of the Police for Istanbul-Beyoglu. Previous allegations of torture led Mr. Ulusoy to leave Istanbul two years ago. Unfortunately, upon his return, it seems he may be continuing his attack on transsexuals and transvestites. Police have reportedly threatened members of the transsexual community with torture if they do not leave the country.

Lambda Istanbul has denounced the attacks on the transgendered community. They are requesting that letters about these human rights violations emphasize the following points:

1. The harassment, intimidation and torture of members of the transsexual and transvestite community must stop immediately.
2. Serious investigation of present and past abuses against the transsexual and transvestite community needs to be undertaken immediately to determine the extent of human rights violations by police officers according to Articles 5 and 8 of the UDHR.
3. If the allegations against Mr. Ulusoy prove to be true, he should be relieved of his duties immediately.

Send letters to:

President Suleyman Demirel
President of the Republic

Cumhurbaskanligi Kosku
Cankaya, Ankara, TURKEY
FAX # 90-312-440-7212

Prime Minister Necmeptin Erbakan

Basbakanlik Bakanliklas
Ankara, TURKEY
FAX# 90-312-418-0476

Mr. Hayri Kazakenoglu
Governor of Istanbul

FAX# 90-212-512-2086