A New Chapter in UN–Turkmenistan Cooperation: Partnership for the People or Partnership Without Human Rights?

A New Chapter in UN–Turkmenistan Cooperation: Partnership for the People or Partnership Without Human Rights? Source: Official publication of the United Nations in Turkmenistan regarding the presentation of credentials by the new United Nations Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, Ms. Xiaojun Grace Wang. The official announcement was also published on the UN in Turkmenistan Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B7XvQCvHJ/ The United Nations has announced the beginning of a new chapter in its cooperation with Turkmenistan. The new UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, Ms. Xiaojun Grace Wang, presented her credentials to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, reaffirming the United Nations' commitment to continued cooperation with the Government, the people of Turkmenistan, and development partners to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. The official statement highlights strengthened partnerships, innovation, evidence-based solutions, inclusiveness, and the shared goal of building a more sustainable future for all. These aspirations are encouraging. However, it is impossible to speak meaningfully about sustainable development without addressing the issue of human rights. For many years, international organizations, UN human rights mechanisms, independent media, and human rights organizations have documented serious human rights violations in Turkmenistan. These include restrictions on freedom of expression, the absence of independent media, persecution of journalists and civil society activists, enforced disappearances, restrictions on freedom of movement, denial of passports to Turkmen citizens abroad, transnational repression, intimidation of activists' family members, and the lack of independent and effective investigations into numerous human rights violations. Development cannot exist without public trust, and public trust cannot exist without respect for human rights, transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. There can be no genuine inclusiveness if people are afraid to express their opinions freely. There can be no evidence-based decision-making if independent journalists and researchers are unable to work freely. There can be no meaningful partnership with the people if citizens are denied the opportunity to participate in public affairs and to defend their fundamental rights. Particularly alarming is the situation of women and children who have become victims of violence. In recent months, an increasing number of such cases have come to public attention through direct appeals from citizens and reports shared on social media. At the same time, victims continue to face fear, social pressure, inadequate protection, and the absence of effective investigations into these crimes. We call upon the new UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan to make the protection of victims of violence a key priority in cooperation with the country's authorities. Decisive and urgent measures are needed to establish a safe and effective system for protecting victims. In particular, we believe it is essential to support: the establishment of independent crisis centers for women and children; the creation of confidential and accessible national hotlines; free psychological, legal, and social assistance for victims; effective mechanisms to protect victims and witnesses from intimidation, retaliation, and further harm; independent, impartial, and effective investigations into all allegations of violence, including sexual violence and violence against children; full accountability for those responsible, in accordance with international human rights standards. At the same time, several other systemic human rights issues require urgent attention from the United Nations, including: ending the practice of transnational repression against Turkmen citizens; ensuring effective investigations into cases of enforced disappearances; protecting freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and the work of independent journalists; abolishing unlawful restrictions on citizens' right to leave the country; ensuring the issuance of passports to Turkmen citizens abroad; protecting human rights defenders, journalists, civil society activists, and their families; creating genuine opportunities for dialogue between the authorities and civil society. The United Nations has repeatedly affirmed that sustainable development cannot be achieved without respect for human rights. Therefore, cooperation with Turkmenistan should be measured not only by the number of implemented projects or signed agreements, but above all by its tangible impact on people's lives, the protection of their rights, and the strengthening of human dignity. We sincerely hope that the appointment of the new UN Resident Coordinator will become an opportunity not only to expand development programmes, but also to foster a stronger, more principled dialogue with the Government of Turkmenistan regarding the country's international human rights obligations. This new chapter of cooperation will become truly meaningful only if its greatest achievement is not a collection of reports or statistics, but real improvements in people's lives: an end to impunity, effective protection for victims of violence, restoration of justice, respect for human dignity, and practical guarantees that the rights and freedoms of every person in Turkmenistan are protected in reality, not merely proclaimed on paper.