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ANKARA – Defne Güzel, the chairperson of Turkish LGBTQ+ rights organisation May 17 Association, has been acquitted of charges of “violating public morality” during the first hearing of her case in Ankara. The prosecution stemmed from the association's publication of an educational brochure about intersex people.
The case was initiated following a routine inspection of the association by officials from the Ministry of Interior. A report was filed that criminalised a translated publication titled "My Intersex Story," leading to charges against Güzel. This legal challenge is seen by many rights advocates as part of a wider pattern of using vague morality laws to suppress LGBTQ+ civil society in Turkey.
A Defense of Education and Expression
In her defense statement to the court, Güzel, who is a trans woman and a long-time rights defender, argued that the association's work is focused on fighting discrimination and is protected by freedom of expression. "Our purpose is educational," she stated, explaining that the brochure is an academic and scientific resource based on international literature.
She highlighted the nature of the charges, noting that even an expert appointed by the prosecutor’s office had found the material appropriate. "I am being prosecuted on the basis of abstract assumptions," Güzel told the court. "What exists here is not a crime, but the activity of a civil society organization. I do not accept the charge against me."
Swift Acquittal Amidst International Scrutiny
In a notable development, the prosecutor recommended Güzel's acquittal, stating there was insufficient evidence of criminal intent. The court concurred, delivering the not-guilty verdict at the initial hearing.
The trial attracted significant international attention. Representatives from the Embassy of the Netherlands were present to monitor the proceedings, alongside diplomats from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, and Norway. The Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye and major human rights organisations like Amnesty International also sent observers, demonstrating broad international support for Güzel and the May 17 Association.
While the acquittal is a significant victory for Güzel and LGBTQ+ advocates in Turkey, the case itself underscores the precarious legal environment they navigate. The use of the justice system to challenge the educational and artistic work of rights organisations remains a serious concern for civil society in the country.
