To promote democracy, defend human rights, and impose accountability on the Government of Turkey for systemic political repression, censorship, transnational repression, and violations of international law.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · July 30, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
# Summary
The Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2026 establishes U.S. policy to promote democracy and human rights in Turkey by addressing what the bill describes as systemic political repression, censorship, and violations of international law. The legislation identifies concerns including the detention of an estimated 43,000 political prisoners, persecution of journalists and lawyers, suppression of internet freedoms, targeting of LGBTQIA+ individuals, and transnational repression of Turkish critics living abroad, including in the United States.
The bill implements several enforcement mechanisms, most significantly requiring the Secretary of State to certify that Turkey has made demonstrable improvements in releasing political prisoners, ending misuse of counterterrorism laws, complying with European Court of Human Rights rulings, and ceasing transnational repression before security assistance can be provided, with a national security waiver available. The legislation also directs the State Department to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Turkish officials responsible for human rights violations and to restrict visas for those engaged in extraterritorial repression.
Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of State to submit annual reports for five years detailing conditions of political prisoners, restrictions on freedoms, incidents of transnational repression, and government efforts to restrict political opposition. The legislation directs expanded U.S. funding and support for Turkish civil society organizations, independent media outlets, human rights documenters, and digital rights advocates, with no specific funding amount specified in the text.
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