News Center- The Women's Platform for Equality (Eşitlik için Kadın Platformu-EŞİK), an independent platform of more than 310 women’s and LGBTI+ organizations, has released a written statement on the recent pressures against artists, particularly women artists, and bans on concerts in Turkey. “Stop discrimination, harassment and oppression against artists, particularly against women artists,” the statement says.

Recently, many concerts have been banned in Turkey for a variety of reasons including public safety. The concerts of Kurdish singer Aynur Doğan in Derince and Bursa were cancelled on the grounds of "public safety" while the concert of singer Melek Mosso in Isparta was cancelled by the Isparta Municipality after a statement from the National Youth Foundation (MGV) and Anatolian Youth Association (AGD) Isparta Branch. The organizations claimed that the concert would “damage national and moral values” as Melek Mosso was a singer who “encourages immorality,” requesting that the municipality cancel the concert.  

“We stand by our artists”

The written statement released by the EŞİK says, “In addition to harassment and pressure against these women artists, concerts of many artists were canceled and events such as Anadolu Fest in Eskişehir were completely blocked by the governor's decision. We call on the institutions and authorities that become an instrument to some marginalized groups trying to impose their preferences on the entire public by putting pressure on municipalities organizing the events: We do not accept these outdated restrictions and bans that have become systematic. We will not allow you to prevent artists, particularly women artists, from practicing their profession as they wish in this country! As EŞİK, we stand by our artists and their freedom to perform their arts. We defend our right to equal, free and safe life, our rights to work, travel and wear what we want.”