Skip to main content

Human Rights Watch joined the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and 13 other groups in issuing a statement today calling on governments and companies that have recently gained access to Turkmenistan to use their connection to improve the lives of the country's more than 5 million people. The groups said these governments and companies should also press Turkmenistan to allow international civil society groups and human rights organizations to work in the country.

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov took over the leadership on Turkmenistan at the end of 2006 promising reforms, but reports say that the country still holds many political prisoners, who suffer ill-treatment and torture and deplorable conditions. The media is severely restricted, and many people are not allowed to travel outside the country.

"The president took power promising to open up the country, but for the people who live there, little has changed," said Rachel Denber, deputy Europe and Central Asia director for Human Rights Watch. "Turkmenistan's new partners should be making it clear that basic freedoms are a condition of their friendship."    
 

Your tax deductible gift can help stop human rights violations and save lives around the world.