In recent weeks, a TikTok trend titled “Don’t Walk Down This Street” has gained widespread popularity, with users around the world showing neglected areas of their cities. In Turkmenistan, however, this trend has taken on a powerful social meaning. These videos do not depict Dubai, Europe, or America. They show Turkmenistan. A country that ranks among the world’s leading producers of oil and natural gas and presents itself as a nation of prosperity and well-being. Official narratives repeatedly claim that citizens live comfortably and that development is flourishing. Yet the reality captured on social media tells a very different story. Beyond Ashgabat and the showcase city of Arkadag, many towns and villages are marked by crumbling roads, collapsing homes, and the absence of basic infrastructure. Entire communities are left neglected and forgotten. This is the reality of the 21st century in one of the world’s resource-rich countries. The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” / Turkmenistan has repeatedly documented the destruction of infrastructure in the regions and the long-term neglect faced by local communities. However, Turkmenistan’s authorities continue to remain silent on this crisis. Acknowledging the problem would require taking responsibility and implementing real solutions — something the government has consistently avoided. While public funds are directed toward grand showcase projects and symbolic developments, millions of citizens continue to live in deteriorating conditions, without safe roads, reliable utilities, or dignified living standards. Today, social media has become a mirror reflecting the reality that official propaganda seeks to conceal. And that mirror is speaking louder with every video shared. https://youtu.be/OtUMMvd7Yj0?si=xUUo7yJ-hRs2JLlp
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