Canada stays silent as European allies condemn Turkey’s raids on LGBTQ+ groups

The Carney government has declined to join Germany, France and other European countries in condemning Turkey’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ organizations, as Canada negotiates a possible trade agreement with Ankara.

Turkish authorities targeted multiple LGBTQ+ groups and individuals over the past week, detaining dozens of activists, entering association offices and raiding popular gathering places. Authorities also stopped protests over the raids and blocked access to numerous social-media accounts, although same-sex activity is not illegal in Turkey.

Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said on social media that an investigation involving 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses was intended to protect children, the family institution and public order. Advocacy group ILGA-Europe said roughly 300 people had been arrested as of Thursday and warned that the crackdown could lead to further government action against democracy and the rule of law. It described the raids as an escalation in a concerted attack on LGBTI activism and community support.

A European Commission spokesperson expressed concern about the raids this week. In a joint statement Thursday, France, Sweden, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Iceland called the crackdown deeply troubling, saying LGBTQ+ people have rights to expression, assembly and association under the European Convention on Human Rights, which Turkey has signed.

When asked why Ottawa had not joined the statement, Global Affairs Canada did not respond directly. In a statement that did not mention Turkey, spokesperson Thida Ith said Canada remains concerned about developments in countries where the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ people are being restricted. She said the department is in close contact with 2SLGBTQI+ organizations and advocates in countries where Canada operates, and that those partners help guide support for people facing discrimination or persecution.

Canada also did not issue a statement in April when Senegal expanded criminal penalties against LGBTQ+ people, though Global Affairs Canada updated its travel advisory for the West African country. At the time, the department said it was aware of the law and was working with partners, including the United Nations, to assess the situation.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose government is seeking new market access globally, has said it is limiting public criticism of human-rights issues in China, Saudi Arabia and other countries. He has argued that private conversations on rights are more productive than lecturing countries from afar. Canada and Turkey announced the launch of free-trade negotiations in July.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs accused the Carney government of applying a troubling double standard in its criticism of Israel. The government has criticized Israel over restrictions on aid to Gaza and rising violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. The organization questioned why Canada was hostile toward Israel but was not using its economic and diplomatic leverage with Turkey, which it said has occupied Cyprus for more than 50 years, even as Canada’s European allies speak out.