Turkey International Financial Institutions Act

In accordance with section 701 of the International Financial Institutions Act (22 U.S.C. 262d), it is the policy of the United States Government that the voice and vote of the United States in international financial institutions “shall advance the cause of human rights, including by seeking to channel assistance towards countries other than those whose governments engage in … a pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, such as torture or cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment, prolonged detention without charges, or other flagrant denial to life, liberty, and the security of person”.

International and civil society organizations have documented significant human rights abuses by the Government of Turkey since the failed coup attempt in July 2016.

The 2017 Country Report on Human Rights Practices of the Department of State for Turkey highlights significant human rights issues in Turkey, including the “arbitrary arrest and detention under the state of emergency of tens of thousands, including members of parliament and two Turkish-national employees of the U.S. Mission to Turkey”.

United States citizens continue to be subjected to unacceptable harassment and human rights violations by the Government of Turkey, including prolonged detention on unsubstantiated, politically motivated allegations, and arbitrary restrictions on freedom of movement.

to oppose any effort by a foreign government to detain United States citizens for political leverage; and

to contest the pattern of the Government of Turkey of arbitrary detention of and denial of freedom of movement to United States citizens (including dual citizens) and locally employed staff of the United States mission to Turkey.

Restrictions— The Secretary of the Treasury shall—

Exception for humanitarian purposes— The restrictions under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to loans or financial or technical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes.

Waiver for energy diversification projects— The Secretary of the Treasury may waive the application of the restriction under subsection (a)(1) only if the Secretary submits to the appropriate congressional committees a written determination that the waiver will be used to support projects to diversify energy resources in Turkey and to lessen the dependence of Turkey on oil or gas from the Russian Federation or the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Termination— Subsection (a) shall not apply on or after the date that is 30 days after the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Turkey is no longer arbitrarily detaining or denying freedom of movement to United States citizens (including dual citizens) or locally employed staff members of the United States mission to Turkey.

Briefing— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter until the restrictions in subsection (a) are terminated pursuant to subsection (d), the Secretary of the Treasury, in conjunction with the Secretary of State, shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on—

Appropriate congressional committees— The term appropriate congressional committees means—

Dual citizen— The term dual citizen means an individual who is a citizen of the United States and another country.

International financial institution— The term international finance institution means the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Bank for Economic Cooperation and Development in the Middle East and North Africa, and the Inter-American Investment Corporation.