Condemning the Violence by Turkish Security Officials Against Peaceful Protesters in Washington D.C. (H. Res. 354)

What is H. Res. 354?

(Updated March 14, 2022)

This resolution would condemn the violence directed by Turkish security forces against peaceful protesters outside the Turkish Ambassador’s residence who were protesting Turkish government policy in light of the country’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, visiting the U.S. It calls on the State Department to ask Turkey to waive diplomatic immunity for officials who were taken into custody because of their participation in the violence, which the resolution called “unprofessional and brutal.” The resolution also suggests that the U.S. should take steps to strengthen freedoms for the press and civil society in countries like Turkey and combat efforts by foreign leaders to suppress peaceful protest in their own countries.

As a simple resolution, this legislation wouldn’t advance to the Senate or have the force of law if passed by the House.

Argument in favor

Turkish officials went way over the line by attacking peaceful protesters who were demonstrating against Turkish President Erdogan during his visit to Washington D.C., and the House should formally put them on notice.

Argument opposed

As bad as the violence against peaceful protesters was, this is a toothless bill that wouldn’t accomplish anything as far as getting the Turkish government to avoid attacking those protesting it in the future.

Impact

Turkish security officials and the Government of Turkey, and the federal government.

Cost of H. Res. 354

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced this bill to give the House an opportunity to collectively condemn the violence against peaceful protesters as the Turkish Ambassador’s residence. Royce sent a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Attorney General the day of the “brutal attack” asking them to look into the matter and bring all appropriate charges before the perpetrators, who claimed diplomatic immunity, leave the U.S.

This legislation passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on a voice vote, and has the support of 33 bipartisan cosponsors in the House — including 17 Democrats and 16 Republicans.

Media:

• House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing
  
• CNN
  
• TIME
  
• The Washington Post