Military

DATE=03/13/2003

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-10488

TITLE=EDITORIAL: TURKMENISTAN HUMAN RIGHTS

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: The human rights situation in Turkmenistan has deteriorated sharply since the November 2002 attack on President Saparmurat Niyazov's motorcade. Most recently, a Turkmen court convicted environmental activist Farid [fah-reed] Tukhbatullin [TOOK-bah-too-LIN] of illegally crossing into Uzbekistan and of allegedly concealing a crime. Prosecutors say his crime was to participate in a November 2002 human rights meeting in Moscow, where, according to the Turkmenistan government, the November 25th attack against President Niyazov was discussed. No foreign or diplomatic observers were allowed to attend the trial. According to local observers, the court refused to allow the introduction of evidence that supported Mr. Tukhbatullin's innocence. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

The government of Turkmenistan has used the armed attack on President Niyazov's motorcade as a pretext for cracking down on all opponents of the regime. According to credible reports, the government has used torture to force confessions of involvement in the attack on Niyazov and has staged show trials. Reprisals against suspects' families have been widespread. The government is violating its obligations to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe by refusing to cooperate with an O-S-C-E fact-finding mission on these reported abuses.

In a move that further restricts the freedoms of Turkmenistan's people, the government recently implemented new laws intended to silence critics of President Niyazov. Among the offenses covered are: attempting to "sow seeds of doubt among the Turkmen people about the domestic and foreign policies carried out by the first and permanent President of Turkmenistan Saparamurat Turkmenbashi the Great."

The Niyazov regime has also created a new state agency to control freedom of movement. Turkmen will now have to obtain permission from the government to leave the country. And foreigners will have to register with the state.

The increasingly repressive and totalitarian polices of President Niyazov are further isolating and impoverishing Turkmenistan. Without international support, it will be difficult for Turkmenistan to develop politically and economically. The government of Turkmenistan needs to reverse course.

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-voanews-dot-com-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.