27.02.2015

Amnesty International

Annual Report 2014/15

Despite improvements to laws on the media and political participation, opposition figures, journalists and human rights defenders continued to suffer harassment by the authorities.

Judicial independence was limited; there were no meaningful appeals procedures, and acquittals in criminal trials were rare. Lawyers trying to work independently risked disbarment. Torture and other ill-treatment remained widespread. Background In September 2013 Turkmenistan accepted recommendations from the UN Human Rights Council to co-operate with UN special procedures. However, the authorities severely restricted access to the country for international monitors. Turkmenistan did not respond to requests from Amnesty International to visit and there were 10 outstanding requests for visits… >> подробнее

21.02.2015

Chris Rickleton

The lack of a major commercial investor has been a key obstacle for TAPI.

As delegates from the four countries hoping to build a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to South Asia met on February 11 in Islamabad, Pakistani media claimed that a deal is close. Several outlets reported that French energy major Total may lead the long-delayed project, providing much-needed know-how and capital. Other than rumored ambivalence towards the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline project in Islamabad and Delhi, the lack of a major commercial investor has been a key obstacle for TAPI. Turkmenistan’s refusal to allow any outsider an equity stake in an upstream… >> подробнее

21.02.2015

Chris Rickleton

Russia is an “unreliable partner,” a think-tank inside Turkmenistan’s own state energy company, Turkmengaz, said in a February 16 rant published on its website.

A few weeks ago, Russia’s state-run Gazprom announced it would sharply and immediately cut the amount of gas it purchases from Turkmenistan. Now Turkmenistan’s authoritarian government has responded with a rare outburst. Unfortunately for Ashgabat, these days there’s not much it can do but screech. Russia is an “unreliable partner,” a think-tank inside Turkmenistan’s own state energy company, Turkmengaz, said in a February 16 rant published on its website. The article – “Will Gas Exports of Turkmen Gas to Russia Recover?” – criticizes Russia and Gazprom for all of the unhappiest… >> подробнее