ÜniKuir
ÜniKuir (Queer University Studies and LGBTI+ Solidarity Association) is a LGBTI+ rights organisation based in Ankara, Türkiye, founded in 2020 by young LGBTI+ activists. The organization works to empower LGBTI+ youth and university students, advocate for their rights, and create safe, inclusive, and participatory spaces across Türkiye. Before founding ÜniKuir, the team was awarded the Student Peace Prize in Norway for their peaceful resistance and legal struggle following the police crackdown on the METU Pride March—recognizing their dedication to human rights and student activism. Since its inception, ÜniKuir has expanded the number of LGBTI+ student communities in Türkiye from 12 to 38, building a vibrant national network of solidarity. With a team of 10 staff members and over 250 volunteers, the organization operates programs in advocacy, media, legal support, research, and capacity building. ÜniKuir has also received international acclaim, including the prestigious Freedom from Fear Award, in the presence of the Dutch Royal Family in 2023, for its efforts to promote equality and justice.
Human rights defenders (HRDs) in Türkiye have been subjected to judicial harassment, including criminal prosecution, violent attacks, threats, surveillance, prolonged arbitrary detention, and ill-treatment. In the aftermath of an attempted coup in July 2016, the environment for the work of HRDs deteriorated even further.
Through the wide-ranging use of State of Emergency laws, the Turkish government has significantly infringed on the rights to freedom of expression, media, assembly, and association, and has particularly restricted the liberty of those engaged in human rights work. These laws enable even further human rights violations, as HRDs often do not have the freedom to monitor the activities of the security forces, who have been granted extensive powers.
