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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-10-2026-0120

on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Petras Auštrevičius, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Dan Barna, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Anna Stürgkh, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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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 targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and Christians under national-security pretexts, urging an end to security codes N-82 and G-87, release of Kaveh Taheri, and alignment of laws with European standards. It calls for restoring accreditation and residence permits, treating journalist persecution as an accession benchmark, and encouraging member states to protect at-risk individuals.

Key points

  1. Condemns targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and Christians without due process under unsubstantiated national-security pretexts.
  2. Urges Türkiye to cease using administrative security codes N-82 and G-87, provide reasoned decisions subject to judicial review, and allow arbitrarily expelled persons to return.
  3. Calls on Türkiye to release Kaveh Taheri and permit him to remain until he obtains an EU visa.
  4. Calls for restoration of press accreditation and residence permits for journalists and religious workers removed without transparent procedures.
  5. Demands alignment of counterterrorism and public-order legislation with the ECHR and ECtHR case-law, as recommended by the Commission.
  6. Invites the Commission and the EEAS to treat persecution of journalists as a specific benchmark in the accession process and consider targeted measures if abuses persist.
  7. Encourages member states to provide protection and visas to journalists and religious workers at risk and support independent monitoring of deportation practices.

Who is affected

  • Foreign journalists and foreign Christians in Türkiye, including those expelled or banned, and religious workers.
  • Türkiye's authorities, who are urged to change practices and legislation.
  • EU member states, encouraged to offer protection and visas.

Figures and deadlines

  • At least 132 foreign Christians banned or expelled between 2019 and 2024, affecting 303 people including spouses and children.