Human Rights and Democracy Report 2016 - CHAPTER VI: Human Rights Priority Countries - Turkmenistan

In 2016, the human rights environment in Turkmenistan, already of serious concern, deteriorated further. Civil liberties, freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief were further eroded. Journalists known for taking an independent line were harassed and arrested. The authorities did not account for the unexplained death of the relative of an exiled activist, and there was increasing concern about the fate of the “disappeared” (largely political prisoners). International human rights activists again raised allegations of torture in prisons and the difficulties faced by religious groups to practice their faith. With the worsening economy and the pressure to prepare Ashgabat to host the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in 2017, there were reports of homes being demolished with minimal notice, and air conditioners and satellite dishes being forcibly removed. Restrictions on internet access widened. Corruption remained endemic at all levels.

During 2016, the UK’s objective was to encourage progress across the range of human rights issues and to assist the Turkmen Government to implement the National Human Rights Action Plan. UK representatives raised human rights issues at every level and at every opportunity both bilaterally and with international partners, including the then FCO Minister for the Middle East and Africa, Tobias Ellwood with Mr Hajiyev, the Turkmen Deputy Foreign Minister, during the latter’s visit to the UK in May. The Embassy funded projects to help train the judiciary in international human rights obligations and to raise awareness of applicable human rights among the disabled community, a marginalised section of the population.

There were some positive developments. The Turkmen Government launched the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP). The President approved a National Action Plan to fight human trafficking. Parliament agreed a new constitution with some human rights provisions including an independent human rights Ombudsman. For the second year running, a Turkmen Government delegation participated in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Human Dimension meeting. The government also acceded to a request by EU and other Ambassadors to visit a youth prison. Overall, however, concrete progress on human rights issues was slow: there was limited activity to implement the NHRAP and it is unlikely that the long awaited Ombudsman will be appointed and active before mid 2017.

The gap between human rights legislation and implementation remains wide and the lack of government transparency makes monitoring difficult.

2017 will see further challenges. The presidential election in February offers an opportunity for the Turkmen Government to demonstrate its democratic credentials after the OSCE raised concerns about the conduct of the previous election in 2012. The pressure of exposure to an international audience with AIMAG could also present a chance to demonstrate real change and progress in human rights. The UK will continue to support human rights projects through the UN and OSCE and to encourage progress in implementing the reforms in the NHRAP, in particular in the fields of justice and freedom of expression; and to encourage the Turkmen Government to take action on trafficking.