Markey, Titus Reintroduce Legislation to Defend Human Rights in Turkey

Bill Text (PDF)

Washington (July 31, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) along with Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) reintroduced the Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2026 to promote democracy, defend human rights, and impose accountability on the Government of Turkey for systemic political repression and violations of international law. Following the attempted coup in July 2016, the Government of Turkey has intensified its crackdown on free speech and pursued a sweeping campaign restricting fundamental rights. This legislation ensures that the United States condemns these attacks and directs the Department of State to expand support for civil society and independent media in Turkey.

"President Erdogan's authoritarian rule must end. While the Turkish government continues to lock up journalists, political participants, and minority communities, the Trump White House is rewarding them by lifting sanctions and flaunting a 'friendship' with Erdogan," said Senator Markey. "This legislation makes clear that the United States is committed to supporting peace and civil liberties in Turkey, and that the U.S. does not maintain friendships with dictators."

"Turkey is a NATO ally, but that alliance carries obligations such as adherence to democratic norms and respect for human rights that Turkey is not meeting. For nearly a decade, the Erdogan government has moved further away from those responsibilities, not closer," Congresswoman Titus said. "Thousands of political prisoners and journalists have been jailed simply for doing their jobs; lawyers have been prosecuted for representing their clients; religious and ethnic minorities are routinely targeted through vague anti-terrorism laws; and a transnational repression campaign has reached into our own communities here in the United States. Erdogan should not be granted greater U.S. security assistance unless there is clear, demonstrated improvements in each of these categories. I am proud to lead this bicameral bill with Senator Markey."

The Government of Turkey has dismissed or suspended more than 60,000 police and military personnel, 125,000 civil servants, one-third of the judiciary, arrested or imprisoned more than 95,000 citizens, and closed more than 1,500 nongovernmental organizations on baseless charges. Today, an estimated 43,000 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Turkish prisons.

Specifically, the Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2026 would:

• Condemn human rights abuses and political attacks carried out by the Government of Turkey
• Oppose the Government of Turkey's attack on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association
• Direct the Secretary of State to provide assistance to civil society organizations in Turkey that work to secure the release of prisoners of conscience and political prisoners
• Demand improvements in press freedom, social media expression, judicial independence, and protection for lawyers and judges
• Call for Global Magnitsky Act sanctions and visa restrictions on Turkish officials linked to arbitrary detentions, torture, or serious crackdowns on free speech
• Condemn Turkey's use of transnational repression
• Condition US security cooperation and assistance to Turkey based on measurable improvements in human rights, rule of law, and compliance with binding judgments of the European Court of Human Rights
• Direct the Department of State to expand support for civil society and independent media in Turkey
• Provide protections for US citizens and lawful residents from political retaliation from the Turkish government
• Direct the Secretary of State to submit an annual report to Congress on the implementation of this Act

Senator Markey has been consistently outspoken against the Turkish government's human rights violations following the 2016 coup attempt. He has remained committed to using all Congress's diplomatic tools to support free expression and civil liberties in Turkey.

• On April 30, 2021, Senator Markey joined with Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in introducing the Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2021, which called for sanctions on Turkish officials who violated basic human rights and provide assistance to civil society organizations in Turkey that work to secure the release of political prisoners.
• On December 11, 2019, Senator Markey and Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-24) introduced the Preventing the Spread of Nuclear Weapons Act, requiring that the approval of a new or extended 123 agreement with Turkey be subject to a vote from Congress, citing the Turkish government's human rights abuses.
• On November 12, 2019, Senator Markey and Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) were joined by Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter to introduce the Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2019.

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