HI HR143

Requests the Republic of Turkey to uphold and safeguard religious and human rights without compromise and cease discrimination against the Ecumenical Patriarchate located in Istanbul.

Calls for Turkey to grant the Ecumenical Patriarch appropriate ecumenical recognition, ecclesiastic succession, and the right to train clergy of all nationalities.

Urges Turkey to respect the property rights, human rights, and religious rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, citing Turkey's closure of the Theological School on Halki island in 1971 and confiscation of patriarchate properties.

Notes that Turkey's current treatment of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is inconsistent with European Union membership criteria requiring stability of institutions, democracy, rule of law, and protection of minorities and religious rights.

Directs transmission of certified copies of the resolution to the President of the United States, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, the Turkish Ambassador to the United States, and Hawaii's congressional delegation.