A group of US lawmakers has called on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to work with global partners in a sustained and coordinated effort to hold the Turkish government led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accountable for repeated violations of religious freedom and human rights.

Despite international condemnation, the state of Turkey continues to commit chronic, egregious, systematic violations of the freedom of religion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, members of Congress said. 

In March, more than 170 members of the US Congress issued a letter calling on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to hold Turkey accountable for its gross violation of human rights and retreat from democracy.

A bill to hold Turkey accountable for violating the religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Greek Orthodox Christians, and other religious minorities was introduced to the US Congress in early May.