08.03.2014

OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human

News

Citing OSCE/ODIHR final report on Turkmenistan parliamentary elections recommends measures to bring process in line with OSCE commitments.

The 15 December 2013 parliamentary elections in Turkmenistan took place in a strictly controlled political environment characterized by a lack of respect for fundamental freedoms central to democratic elections, says the final report from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) released on 3 March 2014. The report adds that the absence of political pluralism and an insufficient separation of powers between different branches of government further contributed to elections that need to be significantly improved to meet OSCE commitments and other international… >> подробнее

07.03.2014

Dzhumaguly Annayev

Ashgabat is taking preventive measures after what is presumed to have been a Taliban ambush that killed three Turkmen border guards.

Militants late February 26 apparently crossed into Turkmenistan from Baghdis Province and killed 3 Turkmen border guards. The two-hour skirmish in the Tora Shaikh region also injured two people, according to Mohammad Qasim Angar, deputy police chief of Baghdis Province. Another security official confirmed that the incident happened on the Turkmen side of the border and said the attackers were Afghan Taliban. A Turkmen consulate in Afghanistan confirmed the incident, Afghan media reported. The Taliban, meanwhile, have denied responsibility. Although Ashgabat has not said… >> подробнее

07.03.2014

Michael Romanowski

After the Soviet Union collapsed, the world welcomed 15 new sovereign states. Each of them chose a different path, some of which led to democracy and others that went astray. The worst situation is probably in Turkmenistan, which is continuously among the lowest-rated countries in freedom assessments.

As illustrated by recent events in Ukraine, the post-Soviet space is still undergoing significant economic and political transformations. After the Soviet Union collapsed, the world welcomed 15 new sovereign states. Each of them chose a different path, some of which led to democracy and others that went astray. Central Asian countries are still resolving many issues of statehood. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan all gained their independence in 1991. The first few years after the USSR's breakup were marked by enthusiasm for democracy, especially in Kazakhstan… >> подробнее