LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey
KAOS GL, one of the largest Turkish LGBT organizations has decided to temporarily close its Ankara based office and cultural centre, following concerns of potential security threat by terrorist organization ISIS. Concerns about the organization’s safety were raised after the appearance on social media of an internal correspondence of the Turkish Counter-Terror Department enlisting all public institutions, public places, pubs, NGOs etc who are under risk of terrorist attacks by ISIS.
Upon seeing this information KAOS GL officially contacted the Counter-Terror Department of the Ankara Police and the Gulhane Military Academy. Their response was that such information has not reached these departments. However, unofficial sources said that the document was an “internal correspondence” and that nothing was confirmed officially.
The internal correspondence, which read “urgent” and “action warning” was dated as 29 March and started to circulate on social media by April 1st. This forced KAOS GL to write official letters also to the Governorship of Ankara, the office of the Prime Minister, the Provincial Police Department and to the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces. They are still awaiting official responses from the General Staff and the Office of the Prime Minister.
In their application to relevant authorities, KAOS GL asked for further information on the potential security threat as well as for urgent protection. However a decision to offer protection has not been made by authorities and responsibility has been passed from one institution to another. For some of them complications are related to the fact that the document is not official. For example the Cankaya Discrict Police stated that they “can increase the patrol in the areas and check the place regularly with officers but they do not have the capacity to place a team there”.
The document has caused unease among staff, association members and volunteers. The lack of an official response has forced Kaos GL to take the necessary precautions until more clear information is received. While the office will be closed, work and activities of the association will continue.