Azerbaijan’s Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine and Turkmenistan’s Silence on the Fate of Its Citizens Statement of the Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” / Turkmenistan Against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Republic of Azerbaijan has provided humanitarian assistance worth more than one million US dollars. The shipment reportedly includes electrical equipment intended to support the restoration of energy infrastructure damaged by attacks. Such humanitarian support reflects a responsible approach and a commitment to protecting civilian life. At the same time, this example highlights the troubling contrast with the continued silence of the authorities of Turkmenistan regarding the fate of their own citizens who have been drawn into the war against Ukraine. Turkmen Citizens in the War: No Protection, No Official Position The international humanitarian project “I Want to Live” has repeatedly published lists indicating the presence of Turkmen citizens among those participating in the war. This information has been made publicly available through open sources. Despite this, the authorities of Turkmenistan have not provided any clear public response. There have been no official statements, no publicly known preventive measures, and no transparent investigation communicated to society. Silence in such circumstances is not neutrality. It is a failure to protect citizens. Passports Denied Abroad: A Pathway to Vulnerability Thousands of Turkmen citizens abroad face serious difficulties obtaining or renewing passports. Turkmen diplomatic missions reportedly refuse to issue new passports or extend expired ones in many cases. This practice undermines citizens’ basic rights and leaves people without legal status, making them vulnerable to exploitation, coercion, and recruitment—particularly when they are in desperate social and economic conditions. The denial of consular services also contradicts Turkmenistan’s own migration framework, including Article 29 of the Migration Law of Turkmenistan, which concerns citizens’ documentation and related guarantees. Criminal Liability Under Turkmen Law Turkmenistan’s legislation also provides for criminal liability for participation in armed conflicts abroad. According to Article 169 of the Criminal Code of Turkmenistan, participation by a citizen of Turkmenistan in armed conflicts or military actions in foreign states is punishable by imprisonment of three to eight years, with or without confiscation of property. This creates a disturbing legal contradiction: citizens can be deprived of documents and protection, placed into extreme vulnerability, and then exposed to criminal prosecution. Economic Pressure and the Risk of Recruitment Economic collapse, lack of opportunities, and fear of persecution push many citizens to avoid returning to Turkmenistan. In such conditions, people may accept dangerous or unlawful options simply to survive, without fully understanding the legal and moral consequences of involvement in armed conflicts abroad. The Systemic Nature of Human Rights Violations The Human Rights Platform “DAYANÇ” emphasizes that this situation is not isolated. Human rights in Turkmenistan are violated across many spheres in a systemic manner—through restrictions on movement, denial of documentation, lack of effective remedies, and the absence of independent protection mechanisms. Call from “DAYANÇ” The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” urges all citizens facing human rights violations to seek help from independent and international human rights organizations. We also address citizens of Turkmenistan who are already involved in the war: Save your life. You have the right to refuse participation in war and to seek humanitarian protection. If you are in the war zone or under coercion, you can contact the international humanitarian project “I Want to Live”, which assists individuals seeking to leave the war and preserve their lives. Official Contacts of the “I Want to Live” Project (open sources) 🌐 Website: https://hochuzhit.com 🤖 Bot: https://t.me/spasiseyabot 📞 Telegram & WhatsApp: +380 95 68 86 888 +380 93 68 86 888 +380 97 68 86 688 📞 Phone calls (Ukraine): +380 44 35 08 917 💬 Chat: https://t.me/chat_hochu_zhyt 📩 Questions: https://t.me/hochu_zhit_com Contacting a humanitarian project to save your life is not a crime. It is a step toward safety. Conclusion While some states provide humanitarian assistance, the authorities of Turkmenistan continue to remain silent about the fate of their citizens who have been drawn into the war. Human life must come first. Citizens of Turkmenistan must not become expendable in a war that is not theirs.
As a foundation, every individual's fundamental
protect and develop their rights
we are working for.
