A bill 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
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
The Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2026 directs the U.S. government to pressure Turkey to improve its human rights record, which Congress finds has significantly deteriorated since 2016. The bill addresses concerns about arbitrary detention of journalists, lawyers, and political opponents; censorship of online speech and media; and transnational repression of Turkish critics living abroad. Key provisions include conditioning future military and security assistance to Turkey on demonstrable improvements in releasing political prisoners, ending misuse of counterterrorism laws, and complying with European Court of Human Rights rulings. The Secretary of State must submit annual reports to Congress for five years documenting the government's progress on these issues, and the bill authorizes support for civil society organizations, independent media, and victims of political persecution. The legislation also calls for potential sanctions against Turkish officials responsible for human rights violations and visa restrictions under the Khashoggi Ban for those engaged in transnational repression activities.
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