Turkey bans Istanbul pride march for fifth year

Activists in Istanbul say Turkish authorities have banned a pride march for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex rights for the fifth year.

In a statement yesterday, the volunteer group organising Istanbul Pride said the governor’s office banned the march in central Taksim district as well as a square designated for demonstrations west of the city.

Amnesty International called on Turkey this week to lift the “arbitrary ban”.

It said authorities rejected all suggested locations in the city by deeming the LGBTI community “societally objectionable”.

Up to 100,000 people gathered for a pride march in Istanbul in 2014, but police have blocked such marches since.

Activists said they would continue voicing their demands.