HI HR166

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

Directs 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 in 1971 and confiscation of church properties.

Notes Turkey's treatment of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is inconsistent with European Union membership criteria requiring respect for minorities, human rights, and religious rights.

Requires certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Turkey's Ambassador to the United States, and Hawaii's congressional delegation.