During the monitoring period, 52 specific assemblies were banned. Most banned events were Newroz celebrations, a day celebrating the start of the spring, overwhelmingly celebrated by Kurds in Turkey. Even though permissions are not necessary for assemblies, there is a notification requirement to the Governor. Often, events are banned during this process of notification, where the Governor states reasons why the assembly cannot be held on the time and place it is envisioned. There were some exceptions, however. For instance, the Trans Pride Parade, as a political stance, has never made a notification to the relevant authority in its 7 year history in Turkey. However, the Governor preemptively banned the event, stating, “It is acknowledged that calls are made on certain news channels, websites and social media by LGBT members to attend a parade to be held on 19-26 June 2016 in Taksim. Our Governorship will not allow the organization of such an assembly or parade on the stated days, bearing in mind the security of firstly the participants and our citizens, and public order. The places where such events can be held were previously announced, as per the relevant law. We would like to ask the honorable citizens of İstanbul to ignore such calls, be helpful towards the security forces and attend to their warnings on this issue”. Another banned event was the World Rakı Festival1, which has been held annually since 2000. The Governor of Adana banned the event this year, stating that social and economic organizations should be held instead of festivals. Thus, the name of the festival was changed to ‘Kebab and Shalgam Festival’2 and was allowed by the Governorship. During the Assembly The number of assemblies that were intervened by security forces during the monitoring period was 225. 32 of the assemblies were ongoing when the police started dispersing the participants, and 183 of the protests were intervened before they had started. Type of Assembly 200 160 100 3 8 5 28 16 5 0 Most of the assemblies, 160 in total, were press releases, parades, marches, and other demonstrations for the purpose of political expression on a smaller scale. 28 were celebrations of holidays and other special days. 16 were events held in memorial of the death of notable persons or explosions inscribed on public memory, 8 were attempts to put up stands, hand out brochures, and set up tents, 5 were counter protests and 3 were political rallies. 1 2 Rakı is an anise-flavored alcoholic beverage popular in Turkey. It is considered to be a national drink of Turkey. Shalgam is a turnip-based drink popular in Adana and Mersin, often served alongside Rakı. 10