Soldiers Without Dignity: How the Authorities of Turkmenistan Have Trampled Their Own Army

Soldiers Without Dignity: How the Authorities of Turkmenistan Have Trampled Their Own Army Author: Diana Dadasheva Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” / Turkmenistan Source: Turkmen.news Young conscripts are not merely soldiers. They are the sons of the nation. They are the future fathers, teachers, engineers, and builders of the country. They are the hope and pride of Turkmenistan. Yet today, this pride is systematically humiliated, neglected, and destroyed by the very authorities who are responsible for protecting it. The investigation published by the independent outlet Turkmen.news once again exposes a painful and shameful reality: conscripts in Turkmenistan are deprived of basic living conditions. Poor and insufficient nutrition, degrading everyday conditions, lack of proper medical care, and inhuman treatment turn military service into a struggle for survival rather than a duty of honor. An Army Without Strength An army cannot be strong when its soldiers are hungry. An army cannot be dignified when the state saves money on food for its own defenders. An army cannot be a source of pride when soldiers depend on parcels from their families to survive. A hungry soldier does not defend his country — he fights for his own physical survival. Humiliation Disguised as “Service” We emphasize: This is not about isolated бытовые difficulties. This is about systematic violations of human rights. Conscripts are citizens under the full responsibility of the state. Turkmenistan is obligated to guarantee them: adequate and nutritious food, access to medical care, safe living conditions, respect for human dignity. Failure to ensure these rights constitutes institutional violence. Who Bears Responsibility? Responsibility does not lie with ordinary officers or soldiers. Responsibility lies with: the Ministry of Defense of Turkmenistan, the government of Turkmenistan, the highest political leadership of the country, which for years has ignored the degradation of the armed forces, turning the army into a decorative institution for parades and propaganda reports. Soldiers Are Not Disposable Material We firmly declare: Soldiers of Turkmenistan are not expendable material. They are not propaganda tools. They are not objects of humiliation. They are not statistics. They are the children of the people. They are the future of the country. And today, that future is being trampled. We demand: Immediate independent public monitoring of military service conditions. Publication of real data on nutrition and supply standards. Accountability of officials responsible for these conditions. Legal guarantees for the protection of soldiers’ rights and the rights of their families. Silence Is Complicity When a state humiliates its soldiers, it humiliates its own people. When society remains silent, it becomes an accomplice. We refuse to remain silent.