🌐 **SHORT PRESENTATION SUMMARY Turkmenistan Prisons: Torture, Forced Labor and Criminal Economy** Prepared by: Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” Date: 26 November 2025 1. Overview Turkmenistan’s prison system operates as a closed network of torture, extortion, forced labor, and criminal governance. Torture is not an exception — it is the foundation of the system. Source (main article): 🔗 turkmen.news/turkmen-prison… 2. Key Findings Torture at Entry Forced nudity, squats, beatings. Immediate humiliation aimed at breaking prisoners psychologically. Quarantine = Solitary Torture Quarantine cells used as SHIZO (punishment cells). 4-person cells overcrowded with 25–30 people. Concrete floors, no beds, no ventilation. Extreme cold/heat used as torture. Bribery required to exit quarantine. “Mal Bazar”: Selling Prisoners New inmates “sold” to criminal groups based on financial potential. Humiliating lineup where prisoners shout “Will you get parcels?” Forced Labor “Obizhenniye”: lowest caste, do all degrading labor. Wages: 100–150 manat per month. Hospital colonies: 1450 manat, half confiscated. Debt Torture Gambling leads to violent debt collection. Property confiscated, beatings, SHIZO punishment. Drug Trade (Run by Staff) Psychotropics trafficked with participation of officers. Documented staff involvement: 🔗 turkmen.news/turkmen-prison… Drugs cause addiction, liver damage, deaths. Criminal Governance “Stos” collects monthly taxes; “Smotryashchiy” controls entire prison; Criminal and administrative structures cooperate. 3. Structural Violations Nelson Mandela Rules Convention Against Torture ICCPR (Articles 7, 9, 10) Turkmenistan Constitution National Criminal Procedure Code The prison system is incompatible with any form of legality. 4. International Reactions & Related Risks Confirmed cases of disappearance and risk of refoulement include: HRW report on missing Turkmen asylum seekers in Turkey: 🔗 hrw.org/news/2025/07/3… CIVICUS alert on forced disappearances: 🔗 x.com/CIVICUSallianc… This context shows the danger prisoners face if returned to Turkmenistan. 5. Core Conclusions Turkmenistan’s prisons are: torture facilities, forced-labor camps, criminal-run economies, systems of daily extortion, zones without medical care, places where human dignity does not exist. They destroy, not rehabilitate. 6. DAYANÇ Recommendations To the United Nations Launch urgent monitoring mission. Grant access to Special Rapporteurs on torture & disappearances. To OSCE/ODIHR Open investigation on systemic abuses. To ICRC Demand full, unrestricted prison access. To HRW & Amnesty Expand monitoring and documentation. To the Government of Turkmenistan Close all SHIZO cells violating Mandela Rules. Prosecute officials involved in torture and drug trafficking. Separate administration from criminal groups. Ensure medical care and humane treatment. Introduce public oversight mechanisms.
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