The U.S. House of Representatives adopted a landmark religious freedom measure (December 14), House Resolution 306, calling upon Turkey to return the Christian church properties it stole through genocide and to end its repression of the surviving members of the vast Christian civilizations that once represented a majority in the territory of the present-day Turkey, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The measure, spearheaded by Republicans Ed Royce and Howard Berman, was submitted to the House by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, with the support of Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Ranking Member Berman, of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

The measure was adopted by voice vote. “Despite Prime Minister Erdogan's recent claims of progress on religious freedom, Turkey’s Christian communities continue to face severe discrimination,” explained Congressman Royce. “Today, the U.S. House of Representatives considered and adopted my legislation, which calls upon the government of Turkey to end religious discrimination, allow religious prayer and education, and return stolen church property. The United States has a strong interest in promoting religious freedom abroad.”

Berman concurred, stating: “This important resolution calls attention to Turkey’s disturbing, persistent failure to respect the ancient Christian heritage of Anatolia and to treat its Christian communities as free and equal citizens. Turkey should take immediate steps to restore all confiscated church property and allow full freedom of worship and religious education for all Christian communities.”

“The passage of HR306 is a great victory for religious freedom around the world, and is a turning point in the Armenian people’s fight for religious freedom. Respect for the full exercise of our civil rights is really central to who we are as Americans and central to the values and ideals that we promote all over the world,” said Congressman David Cicilline.