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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2029/2613(RSP))

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

B-10-2026-0134

on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Adam Bielan, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Geadis Geadi, Assita Kanko, Alexandr Vondra, Carlo Fidanza, Alberico Gambino, Veronika Vrecionová, Ondřej Krutílek, Charlie Weimers, Beatrice Timgren, Dick Erixon, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Marion Maréchal, Guillaume Peltier, Nicolas Bay, Laurence Trochu, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Marlena Maląg, Sebastian Tynkkynen

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

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This resolution addresses the expulsion of foreign journalists and Christians from Türkiye under national security pretexts. It calls on Türkiye to halt deportation proceedings against Kaveh Taheri and to stop using security codes against foreign nationals without transparent justification. It also calls on the Commission to raise these issues in dialogue with Turkish authorities and expresses support for Christians and freedom of religion.

Key points

  1. Calls on the Government of Türkiye to immediately halt deportation proceedings against Kaveh Taheri and ensure his release in full respect with international human rights standards.
  2. Calls on Turkish authorities to cease using security-based restriction codes to target foreign journalists, Christian religious workers and other foreign nationals without transparent, individualized and judicially reviewable justification.
  3. Calls on the Commission to raise the expulsion of foreign Christians and journalists in dialogue with Turkish officials, demanding full compliance with European Court of Human Rights rulings on freedom of religion and belief.
  4. Expresses unwavering support for Christians everywhere and affirms that freedom of religion or belief must be fully protected in accordance with international human rights law.

Who is affected

  • Foreign journalists and Christians in Türkiye, including Kaveh Taheri and Christian workers, who face expulsion or deportation.
  • The Government of Türkiye and Turkish authorities, who are called on to change practices.
  • The Commission, which is asked to raise the issue in dialogue.

Figures and deadlines

  • 26 January 2026: date of detention of Kaveh Taheri.
  • 28 January 2026: date of deportation order against Kaveh Taheri.
  • Since 2019, more than 300 foreign Christian workers and family members expelled.
  • Between 2024 and 2025, at least 35 additional security codes issued.
  • 2 February 2026: ECtHR communicated a joint application of twenty cases.