Mabel Matiz: Music and Censorship in Turkey.

31 October 2025

OBCT

Turkish authorities are cracking down on LGBT+ expression in art, citing obscenity laws and linking it to a “Year of the Family.”

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Pop singer Mabel Matiz faces potential imprisonment for his song “Perperişan” after the Ministry of Family and Social Services requested its blocking on streaming platforms, citing concerns that its content could harm the family institution and public order. The song’s lyrics are interpreted as alluding to a male sexual relationship. This crackdown follows a broader trend of increased repression against the LGBT+ community in Turkey, linked to the ruling party’s declaration of 2025 as the “Year of the Family.” Furthermore, the girl group Manifest was investigated for “indecent behavior” following a concert, and the broadcasting regulator has requested the removal of media featuring sex scenes or LGBT+ representation. Human rights groups argue that these moralistic charges are a cover for suppressing alternative lifestyles and restricting freedom of expression.

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