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

The European Parliament adopted by 502 votes to 2, with 59 abstentions, a resolution on the targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and foreign Christians in Türkiye under national security pretexts.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA groups and Members.

In recent years, at least 300 foreign Christian pastors, missionaries and their family members have been deported from Türkiye and denied re-entry through the application of the ‘N-82’ and ‘G-87’ administrative measures designating them as national security threats without evidence, trial or effective means of appeal. Christians are reported to be the most persecuted religious group globally and failure to acknowledge and address this reality undermines the credibility of international efforts to protect freedom of religion or belief.

Parliament strongly condemned the targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and foreign Christians carried out under unsubstantiated national-security pretexts and without due process. It considered that these targeted expulsions take place in a broader context of democratic backsliding, erosion of judicial independence, criminalisation of dissent and attacks on civil society.

Moreover, Members expressed solidarity with Turkish journalists who continue to report independently despite the numerous abuses. The Commission, for its part, is called on to increase support for independent media.

Regarding the targeted expulsion of foreign Christians, Parliament manifested its unwavering support for Christians and affirmed that freedom of religion or belief, including the right to practice, change or manifest one’s religion individually or in community with others, must be fully protected in accordance with international human rights law and upheld without discrimination or interference by state authorities.

Türkiye is called on to:

- halt deportation proceedings against Kaveh Taheri and all other foreign journalists;

- suspend all legal proceedings against Swedish journalist Joakim Medin and all journalists convicted for doing their job;

- immediately cease all forms of judicial and administrative harassment of foreign journalists, often under national security pretexts;

- immediately cease the use of administrative security codes N-82 and G-87, to provide individual reasoned decisions subject to independent judicial review, and to allow those expelled arbitrarily to return.

With regard to the assessment of the Türkiye 2025 Report regarding the restrictive environment for journalists and critical voices, Parliament called on the VP/HR and the Commission to raise these concerns systematically in political dialogue with Türkiye and to consider targeted measures should these abuses persist.

Text adopted by Parliament, single reading