US lawmakers introduce bill to link military aid for Turkey to human rights

On August 1, 2026, members of the United States Congress introduced the 'Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2026', a legislative initiative designed to condition American security assistance and military sales to Turkey upon verifiable progress in human rights and the rule of law.

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Democratic Representative Dina Titus and in the Senate by Democratic Senator Ed Markey. The legislation mandates that funds for Foreign Military Financing (FMF), Foreign Military Sales (FMS), and other security programs cannot be obligated or spent unless the U.S. Secretary of State certifies that the Turkish government has implemented significant and sustained reforms. Key requirements for such certification include concrete steps to reduce the number of political prisoners and improvements in the broader rule of law.

This legislative move serves as a mechanism to exert pressure on Ankara regarding its internal democratic standards. The bill aims to ensure that American military support is contingent upon Turkey aligning its domestic policies with established international legal and human rights criteria.