Human rights in Turkmenistan

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Turkmenistan
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Turkmenistan

Constitution President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow Assembly People's Council Military of Turkmenistan (incl. State Security Council) Political parties Democratic Party of Turkmenistan Elections: 2007 presidential Provinces Human rights Foreign relations Ruhnama
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Human rights in Turkmenistan are poor with no political opposition allowed and government treatment of religious activity ranging from tightly restricted to banned. There is no free press. Standards in education and health have declined markedly in recent years. Arbitrary judgement prevails over rule of law.

1 Discrimination of ethnic minorities
2 Notable bans
3 Freedom of religion
4 Freedom of expression
5 Political freedom
6 Police brutality
7 Women's rights
8 References
9 External links

[edit] Discrimination of ethnic minorities

The Turkmen government's decision to cancel a dual-citizenship agreement with Russia in 2003 prompted thousands of ethnic Russians to leave Turkmenistan as they lost their property.^[1] Many of those fleeing "in panic" reportedly feared being trapped in a state which has been widely criticised for human rights abuses and has imposed severe restrictions on foreign travel for its citizens. According to reports, those who did get out, were regarded as "lucky". Those without Russian passports may be forced to become the Turkmens, and fear that they may never be able to come back to Russia again.^[2]

For these who remained, estimated at around 100,000, all Soviet-time diplomas, certificates and other official documents that were issued outside the Turkmen SSR had their status nullified, effectively limiting drastically the people's access to work. At the same time, universities have been encouraged to reject applicants with non-Turkmen surnames, especially ethnic Russians.^[3] Russian television is difficult to receive in Turkmenistan, the Russian-language radio station Mayak was taken off the air^[4] and the Russian newspapers were banned earlier.^[5]

[edit] Notable bans

Former Turkmenbashi Saparmurat Niyazov banned playing of video games, listening to car radios, performing opera and ballet, smoking in public, and even growing facial hair. It has been speculated that the latter ban was enacted to enforce conformity of appearance^[6], or even to compensate for Niyazov's own inability to grow a beard. Niyazov ordered the closure of all libraries outside the capital of Ashgabat in the belief that all Turkmen are illiterate^[7]. He reportedly also closed many hospitals outside of the capital, forced physicians to swear an oath to himself and the Ruhnama instead of the Hippocratic Oath^[8], and cut pensions to a third of the country's elderly population ^[9] News anchors, both men and women, were prevented from wearing any sort of makeup after Niyazov discovered he was unable to tell the difference between them when the presenters wore it^[10].

[edit] Freedom of religion

Freedom of religion is guaranteed by article 11 of the Constitution of Turkmenistan. However, like other human rights, it practically does not exist. Former President Saparmurat Niyazov's book of spiritual writings, the Ruhnama, is imposed on all religious communities. According to Forum 18, despite international pressure, the authorities severely repress all religious groups, and the legal framework is so constrictive that many prefer to exist underground rather than have to pass through all of the official hurdles. Protestant Christian adherents are affected, in addition to groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Hare Krishna. [2] Jehovah's Witnesses have been imprisoned and suffered beatings due to being conscientious objectors.

The U.S. Department of State’s 2005 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom (released November 8, 2005) indicates persistent restrictions on religious freedoms in Turkmenistan, while categorizing it among countries that had made "significant improvements in the promotion of religious freedom." Representative Chris Smith stated, however, "The reforms that were instituted by the Niyazov regime over the past year did not go far enough, and even the report itself states that serious violations of religious freedom continue." Senator Sam Brownback noted, "Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have clearly received more credit than the facts would warrant." The U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Asma Jahangir, appealed to the government of Turkmenistan in June 2003 and again in 2005 for an invitation to visit the country, but received no response.[3]

[edit] Freedom of expression

According to Reporters Without Borders' 2005 World Press Freedom Index, Turkmenistan had the 2nd worst press freedom conditions in the world, behind North Korea. It is considered to be one of the "10 Most Censored Countries". Each broadcast begins with a pledge that the broadcaster's tongue will shrivel if he slanders the country, flag, or president. [4]. While he was president, Niyazov controlled all Turkmen media outlets and personally appointed journalists. Controversy surrounds the death of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Ogulsapar Muradova, who was apparently tortured to death in September 2006 while in state detention.

[edit] Political freedom

Any opposition to the government is considered treason and punishable by life imprisonment. Turkmenistan has many political prisoners, the most well-known of whom are Batyr Berdiev, Yazgeldy Gundogdiyev, Boris Shikhmuradov, and Mukhametkuli Aimuradov. They are not granted any access by the International Red Cross, OSCE, ar any medical institutions. There are several rumours of their deaths, but these cannot be confirmed, and most of their whereabouts are unknown.

[edit] Police brutality

Arbitrary arrests and mistreatment of detained persons are common in Turkmenistan, as is torture to obtain confessions. In 2004, border guards shot and killed six people who were allegedly illegally crossing the border from Iran. There are reports of prisoners dying after having food and medical care withheld^[11]. Ogulsapar Muradova, a journalist and human rights activist, died violently in prison in September 2006.

[edit] Women's rights

Under the laws of Turkmenistan, domestic violence and prostitution are illegal, though enforcement is scant. However, laws prohibiting rape and guaranteeing women the same marriage and inheritance rights as men are generally respected.