22.07.2017

EurasiaNet

Another wave of corruption and bribery-related scandals is sweeping through Turkmenistan. The details were aired publicly during extended highlights of the July 7 Cabinet meeting led, as ever, by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.

The meeting was the first outing for the head of the State Service for Combating Economic Crimes, which was created last month, and culminated with the firing of Construction and Architecture Minister Chary Atayev. According to anti-economic crimes agency chief Mammethan Chakyev, the ministry was riddled with corruption. Chakyev said that close associates of Atayev that had been promoted within the ministry had taken bribes from private companies doing construction work for the government. Furthermore, the construction ministry had allowed the overpayment of funds out of the state budget for… >> подробнее

20.06.2017

Bilahari Kausikan,
S. Frederick Starr,
Yang Cheng

Asia's Game of Thrones

It may be too much to expect external powers to abstain from interfering in the process of regional self-definition that is going forward today in Central Asia. Nonetheless, it would be wise for them to do so.

After a quarter century of independence, the fragmentation of Central Asia is evident to all. A senior official there might justifiably complain about how each country “[is] pursuing its own limited objectives and dissipating its meager resources in the overlapping or even conflicting endeavors of sister states.” He might conclude that such a process,” carries the seeds of weakness in [the countries’] incapacity for growth and their self-perpetuating dependence on the advanced, industrial nations.” One can also imagine that another Central Asian official, seeking an alternative, might propose… >> подробнее

12.06.2017

The “Prove They Are Alive!” campaign

Up to 150 prisoners are kept in full isolation in Turkmenistan. This is the largest number of enforced disappearances in peaceful times in Europe and Eurasia.

His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres United Nations Secretary General Cc: Mr. Zeid Ra`ad Al Hussein United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Dear Secretary General Guterres: We, members of the international human rights campaign “Prove They Are Alive!”, appeal to you to use your authority when meeting with leaders of Turkmenistan, including President Berdymukhamedov, to demand that the Turkmen authorities put an immediate end to the shameful practice of enforced disappearances in the country’s prisons and immediately provide the families of the disappeared in Turkmenistan information… >> подробнее