Co-Chairman Chris Smith delivered his opening statement at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission’s hearing, ‘Can Turkey Find Its Way Back to Freedom? Authoritarian Consolidation versus the Defense of Turkish Democracy,’ on June 3. The hearing addressed concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Turkey.
Smith welcomed witnesses and attendees, including Turkish Americans, and acknowledged their concern for Turkey’s future. He said, “The title of today’s hearing poses a question of immense importance: can Turkey find its way back to freedom?”
Smith said that many now fear President Erdogan’s government has weakened democratic institutions in Turkey, making it difficult to restore civil and political freedoms such as rule of law, free elections, judicial independence, religious freedom, and respect for internationally recognized human rights. He said that while the situation is challenging, “the answer to the question will be given by the Turkish people themselves.”
He highlighted reports that there are well over 10,000 political prisoners in Turkey today—including journalists, lawyers, elected officials, academics, civil society leaders, democracy activists—as well as those imprisoned under counterterrorism laws targeting people with links to Hizmet or banned Kurdish groups. Smith referenced witness Serkan Golge’s experience as a U.S. citizen imprisoned by Turkish authorities for nearly three years.
Smith also discussed concerns about transnational repression by Turkish authorities against perceived opponents abroad. He noted that Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested in March 2025—the day his party was expected to nominate him for president—and remains imprisoned along with hundreds of supporters.
He said witnesses would address systematic use of legal mechanisms against opposition figures and restrictions on expression and media. Smith added that denial of religious freedom remains an issue affecting Christian communities in Turkey.
Despite these challenges, Smith said elections still matter in Turkey; opposition parties continue to compete and hold nearly half the seats in parliament. He urged U.S. administration officials preparing for an upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara to remind the Turkish government that freedom and rule of law are essential for alliance strength.
Chris Smith is currently serving in the U.S. Congress representing New Jersey’s 4th district after replacing Frank Thompson in 1981; he has held this position since then, according to official records.
