We Call for the Immediate Release of Enes Hocaoğulları!
We stand in full solidarity with Enes Hocaoğulları, LGBTQI rights defender and youth delegate to the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
Enes was detained Ankara Airport on 5 August 2025 and is currently facing pre-trial arrest following a speech he delivered in March 2025 at the Council of Europe, titled “Young people in Türkiye say enough is enough”.
In his speech, Enes condemned the arrest of elected mayors in Türkiye, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, and police violence against peaceful protesters, particularly young people, since 19th March 2025.
Shortly after the speech went viral, Enes became the target of a coordinated smear campaign by pro-government media and social media actors. Once his affiliation with ÜniKuir became public, the attacks expanded to LGBTQI organisations and civil society, falsely portraying them as acting under “foreign influence” and accusing them of “undermining the state.”
An investigation is currently underway against Enes, on charges of “publicly disseminating misleading information” and “inciting public hatred and hostility”.
This is a clear attempt to criminalised legitimate political expression, silence youth participation and intimidate LGBTQI human rights defenders. It represents an alarming erosion of fundamental freedoms in Türkiye.
We call for:
- The immediate and unconditional release of Enes Hocaoğulları.
- An end to the criminalisation of human rights defenders in Türkiye.
- Urgent diplomatic action from the Council of Europe, EU institutions and national governments.
- Recognition of Enes’ speech as protected under the right to freedom of expression.
- Reaffirmation of the right of young people to participate in democratic institutions without fear of retaliation.
Share the news widely and join us in calling for the release of Enes!
Updates on 19 August
Enes is being held at Sincan Prison in Ankara. His first hearing will be held on 8 September at Ankara 86th Criminal Court of First Instance.
31 MEPs have called for Enes' freedom in an open letter entitled “Silencing youth is dangerous for all of Europe!”. The MEPs "described Enes’s detention as part of broader pressures in Turkey on opposition groups, students, journalists, and particularly the LGBTİ+ community".
