US Congress Bill Ties Arms Sales to Turkey to Human Rights Progress

A new bipartisan legislative initiative in the US Congress would restrict certain forms of American security assistance and military sales to Turkey unless the Secretary of State certifies measurable improvements in human rights, the rule of law, and compliance with judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

The Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2026 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Democratic Congresswoman Dina Titus (Nevada) and a companion bill was filed in the Senate by Democratic Senator Ed Markey (Massachusetts). The bill targets programs such as Foreign Military Financing and Foreign Military Sales.

Under the proposal, funds under these programs could not be approved or disbursed for Turkey unless the Secretary of State certifies that Ankara has taken concrete steps, including:

• Reducing the number of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience and releasing those imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights
• Ending the abusive use of counterterrorism and anti-disinformation laws that criminalize peaceful expression, political activity, and association
• Complying with binding ECHR judgments, including those concerning Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtaş
• Ceasing transnational repression targeting critics and individuals exercising fundamental freedoms abroad

A national-security waiver would remain available: the Secretary of State could authorize specific assistance if it is determined to be in the vital national-security interest of the United States, provided Congress is notified and the steps being taken to promote the required reforms are explained.

Non-binding provisions call on the President to consider Global Magnitsky Act sanctions against Turkish officials responsible for serious human-rights abuses (including politically motivated detentions and restrictions on free speech) and to examine “Khashoggi Ban” visa restrictions—potentially extending to family members—for those involved in serious acts of transnational repression. The State Department and USAID would also be directed to increase support for independent journalists, media outlets, and civil-society organizations in Turkey that document rights violations or assist victims of politically motivated persecution.

An annual report to Congress would be required for five years (the first due within 180 days of enactment). It would cover the number and legal status of political prisoners, conditions of detention, restrictions on free expression and the press, repression of opposition parties, incidents of transnational repression, possible misuse of US-origin surveillance technology, and any sanctions or travel restrictions imposed.

Congresswoman Dina Titus stated: “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. 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.”

Senator Ed Markey stated: “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. 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.”

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