On targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and Christians in Türkiye under national security pretexts

B100118/2026

European Parliament resolution on targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and Christians in Türkiye under national security pretexts

(2026/2613(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to its previous human rights resolutions on Türkiye,

whereas a general deterioration is weakening fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and the Turkish authorities have increasingly and repeatedly targeted Christians and journalists in Türkiye;

whereas Türkiye’s Constitution enshrines freedom of religion and conscience;

whereas Türkiye, as a member of the Council of Europe and an EU candidate country, is required to uphold the highest democratic standards and practices, including respect for human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms (such as press freedom and freedom of religion or belief), the universal right to a fair trial, respect for the presumption of innocence, and the right to due process;

whereas Türkiye’s labelling of peaceful Christian residents as ‘security threats’ constitutes a clear misuse of the law and an attack on freedom of religion or belief, whereas Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world,

whereas since 2020, more than 200 foreign Christian workers and their families—affecting roughly 350 individuals—have been expelled from Türkiye, many of whom had lived there for decades;

whereas Joakim Medin, special correspondent for the Swedish outlet Dagens ETC, has been held since 30 March in the high-security Marmara prison in the Silivri district of Istanbul and is scheduled to appear in court on 30 April;

whereas Istanbul police detained BBC correspondent Mark Lowen and deported him on a flight to London for covering the protests;

Calls for the release of Joakim Medin and all individuals arbitrarily detained for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and of the press;

Stresses the need to protect Christians and other religious minorities from discrimination, harassment and expulsions, and to fully guarantee freedom of religion or belief in line with international obligations;

Calls on the Turkish authorities to immediately refrain from all forms of judicial and administrative harassment of foreign journalists, including arbitrary arrest and detention;

Continues to call on the Turkish authorities to respect press freedom and freedom of religion or belief;

Calls on the EEAS to adequately support the EU Delegation to Türkiye in intensifying trial observation of detained journalists, Christians leaders and workers and raising their cases with the Turkish authorities at all levels, while maintaining relations with civil society;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the EEAS, and the President, Government and Parliament of Türkiye and to have it translated into Turkish.