On July 20th a key Congressional panel is set to vote on an amendment pressing Turkey to end its repression of its Christian minority, allow freedom of worship in churches and urging the return of those churches to their rightful owners. Originally introduced as H.Res.306 by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), language from the resolution will likely be offered as an amendment by House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Ranking Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA) on Wednesday, during the discussion of the State Department Authorization Bill. Thousands of churches have been destroyed, confiscated or converted into mosques in Turkey since World War I. "The State Department reported about the restrictions of the Christian rights three years in a row. Thus, it's not just the legislators, but also the Executive branch that has been noticing the problem with Christian Minority rights [in Turkey]", stated Rep. Royce in a recent interview with H1 Television. The resolution notes the rights of the Armenian, Greek, Assyrian, Pontian, and Syriac minorities and calls upon Turkey "to allow the rightful church and lay owners of Christian church properties, without hindrance or restriction, to organize and administer prayer services, religious education, clerical training, appointments, and succession, religious community gatherings, social services, including ministry to the needs of the poor and infirm, and other religious activities." By expropriating church properties, harassing worshippers, and refusing to grant full legal status to some Christian groups, Turkey has failed to fulfill its obligation as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which requires 'freedom of thought, conscience, and religion," explained Rep. Berman, upon introduction of H.Res.306. Historians report that the non-Muslim population in the contemporary Republic of Turkey is less than one percent of the total population, while it was about 40 percent prior to World War I. On Wednesday, all eyes will be on the House Foreign Affairs Committee as the 45 members vote on this fundamental religious freedom issue. "Every vote counts. We urge all citizens who value freedom of worship, to contact their Representatives -- particularly on the Foreign Affairs Committee -- to vote in support of this amendment," said Armenian National Committee of America Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian, whose group has issued a national call to action in support of the amendment. The measure has also received broad support the Greek and Assyrian American groups including the American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association (AHEPA) and the American Hellenic Institute (AHI). "This resolution stands in the proud American tradition of championing religious freedom around the world," stated AHEPA Supreme President Nicholas A. Karacostas. "If adopted, this measure will further reinforce our nation's commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and also build upon the passage by Congress of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and many other pieces of legislation promoting religious freedom abroad." In North Carolina, constituents will be looking to the 2nd district's Congresswoman Renee Ellmers to see where she stands on the issue. The Freshman Congresswoman serves on the influential Foreign Affairs Committee and may be casting a decisive vote. The Committee proceedings will be webcast live on the House Foreign Affairs Committee website at: http://foreignaffairs.house.gov beginning at 10:00am EST on July 20th.

Edited by Michael Santo.