Forced deportation of Maral — another proof of transnational repression by Turkmenistan

On April 15, 2026, a citizen of Turkmenistan, a civil activist, a woman and a mother of two young children, was forcibly deported. This woman fled domestic violence — violence directed both at her and her two daughters. She sought justice within her country but could not obtain it — solely because her husband is affiliated with the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan. She did not remain silent. She spoke out through live broadcasts to share her story — about the injustice she faced, about how the system operates: There is no independent judiciary, There are no effective mechanisms to protect women and children, In Turkmenistan, a woman is effectively unprotected. She did not want the same fate for her daughters — she tried to save them. However, instead of reform, the authorities of Turkmenistan chose another path: persecution, intimidation, and suppression of civil activists and human rights defenders. Transnational repression has become a norm. Today, we are witnessing: forced deportations from Türkiye and the Russian Federation, abductions of activists, beatings and intimidation in third countries, abuse of Interpol mechanisms for political purposes. Impunity for these actions leads to one outcome: with each passing day, more activists disappear. We address the international community: As long as you remain silent, as long as effective pressure mechanisms are not applied, as long as the authorities of Turkmenistan are not held accountable — new victims will continue to emerge. Today — Maral. Previously — Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov. Tomorrow — it could be others. The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “Dayanç” / Turkmenistan declares: We will not allow the issue of transnational repression to be silenced. We will not allow any name to be forgotten. We will continue to speak about every crime and every victim. Maral is not only a victim of domestic violence. She is not only a victim of the Berdimuhamedov regime. She is a strong and courageous woman who refused to remain indifferent — to the fate of her children, to the fate of women, to the fate of the people of Turkmenistan. Her story is a reminder: violence and injustice are not the norm. And today it is evident: women of Turkmenistan are not protected either within their country or beyond its borders. We call on everyone: do not remain silent, support, help spread the information. Do not stay silent. Today — Maral. Tomorrow — it could be you.