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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2613(RSP))

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

B-10-2026-0111

on behalf of The Left Group · Rapporteur: Isabel Serra Sánchez

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

This resolution condemns Türkiye's expulsions of foreign journalists and Christians under security pretexts, and its broader democratic backsliding and human rights abuses. It calls for suspending the 2016 EU–Türkiye migration deal, stopping deportations and coercion, releasing political prisoners, and making rule of law a condition of EU–Türkiye relations.

Key points

  1. Deplores the serious backsliding on fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Türkiye.
  2. Denounces arbitrary expulsions of Christian community members and journalists, condemns accusations against Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, and demands suspension of legal proceedings against him and other journalists.
  3. Deplores intensified deportations of Syrians, Afghans, Iranians, and others, and coercion of Syrians into signing 'voluntary return' forms, violating non-refoulement.
  4. Urges stopping repression of political opponents, including DEM party members, human rights defenders, and academics; calls for release of Figen Yüksekdağ, Selahattin Demirtaş, and Osman Kavala and dropping charges.
  5. Rejects all discrimination and condemns rhetoric promoting the 'Great Replacement' theory, which fuels xenophobia and justifies hatred and rights restrictions.
  6. Deplores EU complicity in migration agreements with Türkiye, criticizes the 2016 deal and border externalization, and condemns Türkiye's instrumentalization of the deal for political leverage.
  7. Calls on EU institutions to suspend the 2016 migration agreement and ensure no EU funds or agreements contribute to human rights violations.
  8. Requires the Council to ensure full implementation by Türkiye of rule of law and fundamental rights obligations as an integral part of EU–Türkiye relations.

Who is affected

  • Foreign journalists and Christians in Türkiye, including Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, face expulsion and legal proceedings.
  • People from Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, and other nationalities are deported and detained in centres, some EU-funded.
  • Political opponents, human rights defenders, academics, and DEM party members face repression; specific detainees include Figen Yüksekdağ, Selahattin Demirtaş, and Osman Kavala.
  • EU institutions and the Council are called on to suspend the 2016 migration deal and condition relations on Türkiye's rights record.

Figures and deadlines

  • More than 200 foreign members of Christian communities have been expelled.