US Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Democracy And Human Rights In Turkey

Senior US lawmakers and policy specialists have warned that Turkey is moving steadily away from democratic governance. They expressed concern over political repression, judicial independence and the imprisonment of opposition figures ahead of a key NATO summit in Ankara next month.

During a hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, lawmakers from both major parties questioned whether President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration would permit genuine political competition.

Critics described an intensifying crackdown on opposition leaders, journalists, and civil society organisations.

“The title of today’s hearing poses a question of immense importance. Can Turkey find its way to freedom?” Commission Co-Chair Christopher Smith said.

Smith argued that democratic institutions in Turkey had weakened significantly. He warned that restoring the rule of law, free and fair elections, judicial independence, religious freedom, and internationally recognised human rights could become increasingly difficult.

The congressman highlighted the March 2025 arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, widely viewed as Erdogan’s strongest political rival. He further described the detention as a major turning point.

Commission Co-Chair James McGovern said conditions had worsened since previous congressional assessments. He cited reports from human rights organisations documenting pressure on opposition groups and media professionals.

Several expert witnesses argued that Turkey was moving beyond ‘competitive authoritarianism’ towards a system where elections may no longer deliver political change.

Andrew O’Donohue of Harvard University and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace described Turkey as standing at a critical juncture. He said the imprisonment of Imamoglu and legal measures targeting the main opposition Republican People’s Party had raised serious concerns about electoral fairness.

Henri Barkey of the Council on Foreign Relations argued that political authority had become increasingly concentrated around Erdogan. He further described the current system as one centred on the survival and preferences of a single leader.

Former political prisoner and US citizen Serkan Golge recounted spending nearly three years in Turkish prisons under anti-terror legislation.

“I survived prison, but survival is not justice,” Golge told lawmakers.

Serkan Golge urged Washington to press Ankara to comply with judgments issued by the European Court of Human Rights.

The hearing also examined the NATO summit scheduled in Ankara in July.

Witnesses called on the Trump administration to raise human rights concerns directly with Erdogan. They also urged Washington to link bilateral cooperation to democratic reforms.