Turkmen Civil Society Sends a Note of Protest to the Netherlands

Turkmen Civil Society Sends a Note of Protest to the Netherlands 11 September 2026 Representatives of Turkmen civil society have issued a joint Note of Protest to the Netherlands in connection with the public honouring of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Kronenberg on 5 September 2026. The Note of Protest was joined by the Dayanç Civil Human Rights Platform / Turkmenistan, the Democratic Choice of Turkmenistan (DVT) socio-political organisation, the Coordination Council of Democratic Forces of Turkmenistan, chaired by Muhammet Deweji (Dewejinijat), as well as representatives of Turkmenistan’s civil society. The protest was prompted by the public presentation to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov of an honorary award “For Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Horse Breeding.” Representatives of civil society are particularly outraged by the fact that the Dutch side had been informed in advance about systematic human rights violations in Turkmenistan through appeals and information submitted by Turkmen civil society. Nevertheless, one of the key figures of Turkmenistan’s political system was provided with a European platform for public recognition and the enhancement of his international image. The authors of the Note emphasise that this is not criticism of Akhal-Teke horses or Turkmen culture. Akhal-Teke horses are part of the cultural heritage of the Turkmen people, not an instrument for enhancing the political prestige of any individual. For decades, Turkmenistan has continued to face serious systemic human rights problems, including the absence of an independent judiciary and effective legal remedies; restrictions on freedom of expression and movement; arbitrary travel bans; forced labour and compulsory financial collections; corruption and a lack of transparency in public expenditure; the enormous disparity between the official and actual foreign-exchange rates; the absence of effective mechanisms to protect women and children from violence; and continuing transnational repression. Against this background, the public honouring of one of the central figures of Turkmenistan’s political system in a democratic European country cannot be regarded merely as a cultural event. An international award also carries reputational value. It may be used by state propaganda to create an image of international recognition of the authorities, while the voices of citizens whose rights have been violated continue to receive insufficient attention. The Note of Protest also raises the issue of financing the visit. Civil society is demanding transparency regarding who paid for the visit of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the accompanying delegation, including transportation, accommodation and other related expenses, and whether funds from Turkmenistan’s state budget were used for these purposes. The authors of the appeal have called on the Dutch side to explain how human rights considerations were taken into account in connection with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s presence and public honouring in the Netherlands. European institutions and organisations are also urged not to provide platforms for events that may be used to legitimise or enhance the international image of an authoritarian system. Economic, cultural and diplomatic interests cannot justify ignoring systematic human rights violations. Turkmen civil society expects an official response from the Dutch side and once again calls on European states to uphold their own principles of democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights. Dayanç Civil Human Rights Platform / Turkmenistan http://dayanchcivil.com/