16.03.2023

Akhal-Teke

While the country's authoritarian rulers are utterly indifferent to political freedoms, how the investment regime is perceived is another matter.

In spite of its best efforts, Turkmenistan has failed to top Freedom House’s Worst of the Worst list in the category of countries with the fewest political rights and civil liberties this year.

It was beaten out by joint leaders Syria and South Sudan, although it did manage somehow to edge out North Korea.

A Freedom House country report on Turkmenistan is expected before too long, although it is likely to reprise points made in 2022. That time around, the only areas in which the country recorded at least a meager score was in the right to property ownership and social… >> подробнее

10.03.2023

Akhal-Teke

Israel is imminently poised to open a permanent mission in Ashgabat, 20 kilometers from the Iranian border.

Every few years, Turkmenistan submits itself to a grilling from the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

The two-day session held last week stuck to the usual script. Committee members listed what could only, given the time constraints, be a minute portion of Turkmenistan’s shortcomings on human rights. Turkmen representatives replied with a barrage of obfuscations and distortions, unverifiable denials, and hollow pledges to do better.

The basic bar that the government could try to meet would be to allow the 15 UN special procedures mandate holders — meaning such… >> подробнее

10.03.2023

Akhal-Teke

The teetering edifice of megalomania built around the Berdymukhamedov family should make it obvious how Turkmenistan is governed.

There was joy in Turkmenistan’s ruling family household over the weekend as Kerimguly Berdymukhamedov, the approximately 21-year-old son of the president, tied the knot.

According to a Vienna-based Chronicles of Turkmenistan report, the wedding took place on February 26 at the Arkadag Hotel in the capital, Ashgabat.

The event was not covered by state media, but it does not look like the authorities made much of an effort to keep things low-key. Major thoroughfares in the city were closed and security personnel were out in force, including along a highway heading… >> подробнее