Several human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch and other LGBT groups, have sent an open letter to the Turkish government calling for the protection of transgender people from violent attacks. The letter was sent after two murders of transgender women in February 2010. The letter called on further co-operation between LGBT groups and the police, anti-discrimination legislation, and government pro-activity in preventing violence directed against transgender people. 

In two Turkish cities alone, there have been at least eight murders of transgender people since November 2008. Such attacks often occur in gruesome circumstances, such as the murder of Sinasi Halimoglu who had arranged a date with a man. He was later found on his bed with multiple stab wounds to his back and neck.

“The homophobic killings need to stop, and for this we need the Turkish government to take concrete action to protect transgender people,” said Hossein Alizadeh, coordinator of International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission’s Middle East and North Africa program. The Turkish police force has in the past been accused of harassing Turkey’s transgender community. These actions have been documented by Human Rights Organizations such as Pembe Hayat. However, in recent attacks against LGBT people, the Turkish Police Force has fully investigated the crimes and bought the perpetrators to justice. The Turkish state will need to be seen to protect the rights of sexual minorities in its attempt to join the EU. Commentators have emphasised that investigating such crimes does not go far enough; what is sought are positive steps for the protection of the transgender minority within Turkey.