Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2026

This bill sets U.S. policy on human rights in Turkey and states Congress's views on press freedom, internet freedom, lawyers' rights, and sanctions against Turkish officials. It would block U.S. security assistance funds for the Government of Turkey unless the Secretary of State certifies that Turkey has taken certain human rights steps, such as reducing political prisoners and following European Court of Human Rights rulings; the Secretary could waive this for national security reasons. It would require the State Department to help groups working to free political prisoners and to send U.S. staff to observe politically motivated trials. It would also require yearly reports to Congress for five years and expanded support for independent journalists and civil society groups in Turkey.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Edward J. Markey Democrat sponsor
• 0 cosponsors