**STATEMENT by the Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” / Turkmenistan** The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” / Turkmenistan expresses serious concern over reports of the forced involvement of students from higher educational institutions in Turkmenistan in mass events related to preparations for a football match scheduled for February 11, 2026, in which the club Al-Nassr and football player Cristiano Ronaldo are expected to participate. According to reports by the independent outlet turkmen.news, students from at least three universities in Ashgabat have been collectively transported to the Olympic Stadium to take part in hours-long rehearsals of so-called “chants” and to create an atmosphere of “sporting enthusiasm” in the stands. Participation is not voluntary but coercive, involves removal from the educational process, and takes place under unfavorable weather conditions — with temperatures around zero degrees Celsius, strong winds, and high humidity — posing risks to the health of young people. We consider such practices unacceptable and a violation of the fundamental rights of students, including: the right to education free from coercion and interference; the right to health and safe conditions; the right to freedom of will and the right to refuse participation in mass events; the prohibition of using citizens as forced mass participants for image-building and propaganda purposes. Of particular concern is the systemic nature of these actions. Reports have previously documented the use of students as organized mass participants during other sporting events, including their nighttime transportation and the imposition of strict requirements regarding appearance and behavior. The Human Rights Platform “DAYANÇ” emphasizes that participation of citizens — and especially students — in mass events must be strictly voluntary. Coercing “demonstrative enthusiasm” to create a favorable image for an international audience constitutes a form of exploitation and a violation of human dignity. We call on: the authorities of Turkmenistan to immediately cease the practice of forcibly involving students in such events; university administrations to refrain from exerting pressure on students; international sports organizations, human rights bodies, and diplomatic missions to pay attention to the use of forced participation and mass mobilization during international sporting events in Turkmenistan. We firmly believe that sport must not serve as a cover for human rights violations, and that young people must not be turned into instruments of performative loyalty and propaganda. Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” / Turkmenistan
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