DAYANCH Appeals to the Austrian Government over Human Rights Violations in Turkmenistan The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANCH” / Turkmenistan has submitted an official appeal to the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria, and the President of the Republic of Austria regarding ongoing and systematic human rights violations in Turkmenistan. In its appeal, DAYANCH emphasizes that these violations are not isolated incidents but represent a long-standing, mass, and systemic policy of repression directed against the population of Turkmenistan. Suppression of Civil Freedoms Freedom of expression in Turkmenistan is effectively nonexistent. Citizens who attempt to defend their rights, express dissent, or seek legal protection face intimidation, arbitrary detention, criminal prosecution, enforced disappearances, and torture. Civil activists remain under constant threat both inside and outside the country. Transnational Repression The appeal highlights cases of abductions and enforced disappearances of Turkmen activists outside Turkmenistan, including in Türkiye and the Russian Federation. These actions demonstrate that repression by Turkmen authorities has crossed national borders, violating international law and the sovereignty of other states. Such transnational repression represents a serious threat not only to Turkmen citizens but also to the international human rights protection system. Illegal Restrictions on Freedom of Movement Thousands of citizens of Turkmenistan are unlawfully banned from leaving the country without court decisions or legal justification. Elderly people, women married abroad, children, and entire families remain forcibly separated for years. These restrictions destroy family unity and violate fundamental human rights guaranteed by international law. Torture and Fabricated Criminal Cases DAYANCH documents cases of torture, cruel treatment, and sexual violence in detention facilities, including prisons in the Dashoguz region. Many individuals are imprisoned based on fabricated criminal charges without access to fair trials or independent legal defense. Death of a Person with Disability A particularly tragic case involves a man with a disability who was abducted from his home together with his wife, brutally tortured, and died one week later. He left behind five children. No investigation has been conducted, and no perpetrators have been held accountable. Systemic Nature of Repression According to DAYANCH, all documented cases confirm the existence of a systematic state policy of repression against the civilian population. These actions may be qualified as mass and gross human rights violations and as persecution on political and civic grounds. Call to the Austrian Government In its appeal, DAYANCH calls on the Austrian Government to: provide an international legal assessment of the actions of Turkmen authorities; initiate an independent international investigation into abductions, torture, and enforced disappearances; ensure international protection for Turkmen activists and citizens; demand the immediate cessation of illegal travel bans and repression. No Support for Dictatorship DAYANCH also urges Austria and other democratic states not to support the dictatorial regime of Turkmenistan and to refrain from political, economic, or diplomatic cooperation that legitimizes crimes against democracy, human rights, and humanity. Any cooperation with a regime that systematically oppresses its own people constitutes a moral and political responsibility before the international community. Position of DAYANCH The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANCH” / Turkmenistan reaffirms its commitment to documenting human rights violations, supporting victims, and advocating for international accountability. The organization believes that silence from the international community only strengthens impunity and encourages further crimes.
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