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This resolution would call on Turkey to lift restrictions on freedom of expression and respect universal human rights, while also reaffirming the longstanding U.S. partnership and friendship with the people of Turkey.

The resolution notes that while Turkey has long been a modern democracy and a U.S. ally through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), there are concerns about increased infringements of the Turkish people’s freedom of expression.

It points to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) as being responsible for the erosion of that freedom through the intimidation or arrest of media and blocking access to Twitter and YouTube for two weeks in 2014 and several hours in 2015.

The resolution also calls out violations of human rights through criminal prosecutions based on broad terrorism laws that are ideologically driven, which are also contrary to Turkey’s Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe commitments.

As a simple resolution, this legislation wouldn’t have the force of law if passed, and wouldn’t advance to the Senate.

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Does Turkey’s Government Need to Protect Human Rights and Freedom of Expression?