A new Congress bill ties U.S. weapons sales and military aid to Turkey to verified human rights reforms, and also threatens sanctions and visa bans to Turkish officials.
The bill, titled the Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2026, was introduced by Greek-American Congresswoman Dina Titus both to the Congress and the House of Representatives, while companion legislation was simultaneously filed in the Senate by Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts.
The legislation would block U.S. security assistance to and cooperation with Turkey unless the Secretary of State certifies that the Turkish government has made appreciable improvements in human rights, rule of law, and adherence to judgments from the European Court of Human Rights.
The development comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for a potential sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey, dismissing concerns raised by Greece and Israel.
Reintroduction of Senator Markey’s previous initiatives
Senator Markey has been consistently outspoken against the Turkish government’s human rights violations following the 2016 coup attempt.
The new initiative is an updated version of the Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2021, introduced by Senators Markey, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, which stalled in Congress. In 2019, Markey and Ron Wyden had again attempted to introduce the Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2019, joined by Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter.
“President Erdogan’s authoritarian rule must end,” Senator Markey commented on the latest push for the initiative. “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. 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.”
I am proud to lead a bicameral bill with @SenMarkey to compel Turkey to adhere to democratic values, respect human rights, and release political prisoners. For nearly a decade, the Erdogan government has moved further away from those responsibilities. Turkey should not be granted…
— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) July 31, 2026
“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 added.
“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,” the Greek-American Democrat concluded.
New law asks for annual report on Turkey’s progress in human rights
An announcement of the initiative notes that the Erdogan regime in Turkey has dismissed or suspended more than 60,000 police and military personnel, 125,000 civil servants, and one-third of the judiciary; arrested or imprisoned more than 95,000 citizens; and closed more than 1,500 nongovernmental organizations on trumped up charges. Today, nearly 43,000 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Turkish prisons.
The proposed legislation would:
• Establish as U.S. policy pressing Turkey on NATO democratic obligations and human rights compliance.
• Commit the U.S. to advocating for the unconditional release of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.
• Call on Turkey to protect press freedom, restore internet freedom, stop prosecuting lawyers/judges, and support European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) compliance, with corresponding State Department pressure campaigns on each front.
• Block Foreign Military Financing/Sales to Turkey unless the Secretary of State certifies progress on political prisoners, counterterrorism law misuse, ECHR compliance, and transnational repression with a national security waiver option.
• Require consideration of Global Magnitsky sanctions, Khashoggi Ban visa restrictions (including on family members), and scrutiny of Arms Export Control Act/Foreign Assistance Act human rights conditions.
• Mandate an annual report on political prisoners, censorship, transnational repression incidents, misuse of U.S.-origin surveillance tech, and sanctions/visa actions taken under the Act.
The bill is expected to be referred to relevant congressional committees for review before getting scheduled for a floor vote in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.
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