Protesters are detained by police in central Istanbul, Turkey, on 26 June 2021, as hundreds of LGBTQI+ activists defied a ban and tried to stage a gay pride event. BÜLENT KıLıÇ/AFP via Getty Images June 2021 in Europe and Central Asia: A free expression round up produced by IFEX s Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.
June saw the Belarusian authorities crank up the pressure on independent journalists, Istanbul police attack LGBTQI+ people and journalists at a Pride march, and Hungary adopt legislation reminiscent of Russia’s so-called ‘gay propaganda’ law. But the month also saw important progress in the battle against impunity in Slovakia.