#LOVEISONTRIAL: DEMAND JUSTICE FOR TURKISH STUDENTS DEFENDING LGBTI+ RIGHTS ACTION GUIDE

From day one, students Melike and Özgür dedicated themselves to defending lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) rights at their university.

Along with other members of the LGBTI+ Solidarity Group at Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankar, they were arrested in 2019 for organising a pride sit-in.

Despite simply exercising their right to peaceful protest 18 students and the Academic are on trial. If found guilty, they face up to three years in prison.

They were due to stand trial on 10 December 2020, but the trial was postponed due to global pressure on the Turkish authorities.

Their trial has been rescheduled for 30 April 2021, and we need to put pressure on the Turkish authorities again.

We know this kind of pressure works – it prevented Melike and Özgür being convicted last year. Now we need to use to power the of the Amnesty Student Network to make sure they are finally acquitted.

We’re asking all our student members to take action from the 20-30 April, the 10 days leading up to trial.

Please show your solidarity with students at METU university, and encourage your friends, family and followers to email the Minister of Justice in turkey via http://www.amnesty.org.uk/loveisontrial

Students can show their university stands in solidarity by posting an image which symbolises their university and pride.

For example:

• Post a picture of your university logo with a pride flag/filter.
• Post an image of a famous/notable university location or building with a pride flag/filter.
• Post a picture of yourself with a pride flag on your campus (if you are on campus).

In your post, please include this text with a link to the email action:

On 30 April, Melike and Özgür, go on trial. They face three years in prison. Their crime? Organising Pride at university. #loveisontrial

Take action: send an email to Turkish authorities now calling for their acquittal http://www.amnesty.org.uk/loveisontrial

All the information you need including example social media posts are in our action guide below.