OFFICIAL APPEAL on Systemic Violations of the Rights of Citizens of Turkmenistan to Identity Documents, Freedom of Movement, and Family Reunification

OFFICIAL APPEAL on Systemic Violations of the Rights of Citizens of Turkmenistan to Identity Documents, Freedom of Movement, and Family Reunification On behalf of the Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement “Dayanç” – Turkmenistan https://dayanchcivil.com⁠� Dear representatives of the international community, Dear OSCE participating States, Dear international human rights mechanisms, The Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement “Dayanç” – Turkmenistan expresses its serious concern regarding the ongoing and systemic violations of the rights of citizens of Turkmenistan to obtain identity documents, to freedom of movement, and to family reunification. We refer to two interrelated issues: the inability to obtain or renew passports through Turkmenistan’s diplomatic missions abroad; restrictions on leaving the country, particularly under Article 30, paragraph 9 of the Law of Turkmenistan “On Migration.” Taken together, these issues result in hundreds of families being separated and thousands of citizens being deprived of basic rights and legal protection. According to Article 29 of the Law of Turkmenistan “On Migration,” citizens residing abroad have the legal right to obtain passports through diplomatic and consular missions. However, in practice, this provision is not implemented. Citizens are unable to obtain or renew passports through embassies and consulates, which directly contradicts Turkmenistan’s own legislation. As a result, many individuals are left abroad without valid identity documents, placing them in an extremely vulnerable legal and social position. The lack of valid identification documents leads to serious consequences: inability to legalize their stay, access employment, receive medical care, obtain education, or defend their rights. Such individuals become particularly vulnerable to human trafficking, labor exploitation, and involvement in criminal networks. Of particular concern is that individuals without documents become easy targets for recruitment into armed conflicts. According to findings referenced by the project “I Want to Live”, citizens of Turkmenistan who lack documents and legal status are being recruited and drawn into the war against Ukraine by the Russian Federation. This adds not only a humanitarian dimension but also a broader international security concern. At the same time, many citizens are afraid to return to Turkmenistan to renew their passports due to the risk of being prevented from leaving the country again. A key role in this is played by Article 30, paragraph 9 of the Law “On Migration,” which allows authorities to restrict a citizen’s right to leave the country if they have previously violated migration rules in a third country. The Human Rights Platform “Dayanç” emphasizes that this provision directly contradicts international law, including: the right to freedom of movement (Universal Declaration of Human Rights); the right to leave any country, including one’s own (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights); the right to family life and family reunification. The application of this provision results in hundreds of families being unable to reunite, while citizens are effectively deprived of the ability to leave their own country. Documented cases include: Nurgeldy Khalykov Soltan Achilova Lachyn Gench the Sazonov family the Minmuratov family as well as many other families who are unable to exercise their right to leave the country and reunite with their relatives. These cases demonstrate that this is not an isolated issue but a systemic practice affecting a wide range of individuals. As a result, a vicious cycle is created: inside the country, citizens are restricted from leaving; abroad, they cannot obtain identity documents; returning to Turkmenistan may result in being unable to leave again. This places individuals in a legal trap, deprived of freedom of movement, identity documents, and the ability to reunite with their families. Furthermore, the inability to obtain passports abroad contributes to an increase in forced migration and asylum applications. People are compelled to seek international protection not by choice, but due to the lack of any legal means to regularize their status. In light of the above, the Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement “Dayanç” – Turkmenistan respectfully calls on the international community: 1. to urge the authorities of Turkmenistan to implement Article 29 of the Law “On Migration” and ensure the issuance and renewal of passports through diplomatic missions abroad; 2. to recognize that restrictions on leaving the country under Article 30, paragraph 9 are inconsistent with international human rights standards; 3. to call for a review of this provision and an end to its arbitrary application; 4. to ensure respect for the right of citizens to freedom of movement and to leave their country; 5. to guarantee the right to family reunification; 6. to take measures to protect citizens abroad who lack documentation from exploitation, including recruitment into armed conflicts; 7. to prevent situations in which individuals are forced to live without legal identity and without access to basic rights and legal protection. In the modern world, it is unacceptable for people to be placed in a situation where the absence of identity documents renders them invisible before the law and vulnerable to exploitation. Further information and documented cases are available on our website: https://dayanchcivil.com⁠� Respectfully, Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement “Dayanç” – Turkmenistan