170 U.S. lawmakers urge the Biden's administration to push Turkey human rights' laws

And 170 members of the US House of Representatives, from both parties, signed a letter sent to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urging President Joe Biden's administration to address "troubling" human rights issues while formulating policy dealing with Turkey, according to Reuters.

The letter, dated February 26, indicates that Turkey, a "NATO ally", has always been an important partner of the United States, but says that the administration of Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cracked the relationship.

The letter, signed by Representatives Greg Meeks, Democratic Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and a prominent Republican member of the committee, Mike McCall said, "Strategic issues have rightly received great attention in our bilateral relationship, but the gross violation of human rights and the democratic backsliding that is taking place in Turkey constitute also a major concern. "

On February 20, Erdogan said that the common interests of Turkey and the United States outweigh their differences, and that Turkey wanted to improve cooperation with Washington.

But relations have been strained over a host of issues, including Turkey's purchase of a Russian missile defense system.

Washington has also expressed its repeated concern about rights and freedoms, and the lawmakers ’message states that Erdogan and his party have weakened the Turkish judiciary, appointed political allies to key military and intelligence positions, and unlawfully imprisoned political opponents, journalists, and members of minorities.

T/S

ANHA