8. The Committee is concerned that the current legislation of the State party on discrimination is not comprehensive, thus failing to protect against discrimination on all the grounds enumerated in the Covenant. In particular, the Committee is concerned about the lack of specific reference to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. (art. 2, para. 1).
The State party should enact legislation on anti-discrimination and equality, ensuring that it includes a comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on all the grounds as set out in the Covenant, as well as the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. The State party should also ensure that reliable and public data is systematically collected on cases of discrimination and their treatment by the competent judicial authorities.
10. The Committee is concerned about the discrimination and alleged acts of violence against people on the basis of their gender identity and sexual orientation, and about the social stigmatization and social exclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in terms of their access to health services, education, or to their treatment in the context of the regulations concerning compulsory military service and while serving in the military (arts. 2 and 26)
While acknowledging the diversity of morality and cultures internationally, the Committee recalls that all cultures are always subject to the principles of universality of human rights and non-discrimination (general comment No. 34, para. 32). The State party should therefore state clearly and officially that it does not tolerate any form of social stigmatization of homosexuality, bisexuality or transexuality, or harassment of or discrimination or violence against persons because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It should ensure the investigation, prosecution and punishment of any act of discrimination or violence motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Link to full text of the report: Concluding Observations-CCPR-Turkey-2012-eng