The Young Democrats for Europe (YDE) call for full respect of democracy, freedom of speech, and youth rights in the European Union and in Turkey alike.
Enes Hocaoğulları, a young LGBTQIA+ activist and delegate to the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, remains unjustly detained in Turkey following his arrest on 5 August 2025. His continued imprisonment on politically motivated charges is a grave attack on human rights and democratic values.
YDE firmly believes in the values of democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech. Enes’s case embodies a disregard for these fundamental principles. His detention serves to silence dissent and intimidate young voices.We call on President Erdoğan and the Turkish authorities to immediately release Enes Hocaoğulları and all young activists unlawfully detained. We condemn this politically motivated persecution and demand a fair judicial process free from political interference. The crackdown on youth activists, the LGBTQIA+ community, and civil society must stop.
The Young Democrats for Europe will continue to advocate for a Europe where young people are free to express their views without fear of retaliation. Enes’s detention is a powerful reminder of the challenges we face and the vital importance of protecting democracy and human rights. We call on all democratic youth organisations to join us in our condemnation of this injustice and to maintain pressure until he is free.