Transgender Activists on Trial in Turkey

International human rights groups are calling on officials in Turkey to drop charges against five transgender rights activists on trial this week for resisting arrest.

According to the Associated Press, “The rights organizations, including the New York-based Human Rights Watch, said Monday Turkey should instead investigate police for allegedly attacking the activists.”

The five activists were pulled from a car in May and accused with soliciting sex work and beaten. They face up to three years in prison if convicted.

Activists say that transgender abuse and murder remains high despite reforms enacted under Turkey’s aspiration to join the European Union.