UN DECLARES 2028 THE YEAR OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AT TURKMENISTAN’S INITIATIVE: DAYANÇ PREPARES INTERNATIONAL PROTEST

UN DECLARES 2028 THE YEAR OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AT TURKMENISTAN’S INITIATIVE: DAYANÇ PREPARES INTERNATIONAL PROTEST 1 November 2026 On 24 July 2026, the United Nations General Assembly, at the 106th plenary meeting of its 80th session, adopted by consensus Resolution A/RES/80/295, entitled “Year of International Law, 2028”. The resolution was initiated by Turkmenistan and co-sponsored by 78 UN Member States. The decision was officially confirmed by the United Nations and published through its official channels. On 12 August, the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the United Nations announced that the resolution had been published in all six official languages of the Organization. Under the resolution, 2028 has been proclaimed the Year of International Law worldwide. The General Assembly also welcomed Turkmenistan’s intention to host a Global Forum on International Law in December 2028. On 25 July, Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the adoption of the resolution as a significant achievement of the country’s foreign policy. Official statements emphasized that international support for the initiative demonstrated recognition of Turkmenistan’s efforts to promote the rule of law, peace, and international cooperation. On 26 October 2026, a meeting was held at Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss preparations for a National Action Plan covering 2026–2028. The authorities began considering organizational arrangements, international events, and cooperation among government institutions. The initiative has therefore moved beyond a diplomatic declaration and entered the planning stage for a major international programme, with a global forum in Turkmenistan intended to be one of its central events. However, these developments raise a fundamental question: Can a state whose human rights record has been the subject of serious and persistent international criticism present itself as a global centre for promoting the rule of law? ## International Recognition of an Initiative Does Not Constitute Recognition of a Country’s Human Rights Record The Human Rights Platform of the DAYANÇ Civil Movement / Turkmenistan expresses its categorical opposition to any attempt to use the adopted resolution to strengthen the international image of the Turkmen authorities without an objective assessment of their compliance with international human rights obligations. We emphasize that we do not oppose international law or initiatives intended to promote its development. On the contrary, genuine respect for international law is precisely what we have consistently demanded. International law, however, cannot be reduced to diplomatic declarations, conferences, ceremonial events, and official statements. For many years, international human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have documented political persecution, arbitrary detention, restrictions on freedom of expression and movement, enforced disappearances, forced labour, and the absence of effective mechanisms for protecting citizens in Turkmenistan. The situation of Turkmen citizens living abroad is particularly concerning. Many face refusals to issue or renew their passports, leaving them in extremely difficult legal circumstances. Another serious concern is the restriction of the right to leave Turkmenistan, including the application of domestic legal provisions that require scrutiny for compliance with Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The DAYANÇ Human Rights Platform documents individual complaints and assists people whose cases involve persecution, threats to personal safety, violations of the rights of women and children, transnational repression, and the need for international protection. Among the cases documented by the Platform are those of Jeren Altyyeva and her minor daughter Ogulnur Pelvanova, Maral Annayeva, and Leyla Kamalova. The Platform also supports efforts to establish the fate and whereabouts of Alisher Sakhatov and Abdullah Orusov, whose enforced disappearance in Türkiye in July 2025 requires an effective and independent investigation. Gulala Hasanova continues to seek answers concerning their fate. The circumstances of these cases, the responsibility of those allegedly involved, and any possible involvement of state authorities must be independently investigated. As long as people continue to face such violations, international declarations celebrating the rule of law must not replace genuine accountability and effective protection of human rights. DAYANÇ to Initiate an International Protest and Formal Appeal Process In response to the adoption of Resolution A/RES/80/295 and preparations for the 2028 international forum, the DAYANÇ Human Rights Platform announces its intention to prepare a formal international statement of protest and submit it to the relevant authorities and international human rights mechanisms. The Platform intends to address the United Nations Secretary-General, the President of the UN General Assembly, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, relevant UN Special Rapporteurs, other international organizations, diplomatic missions, and UN Member States. Through these submissions, DAYANÇ will raise the need for an independent assessment of the human rights situation in Turkmenistan before the planned international forum takes place. Particular attention will be given to the possibility of reconsidering the conditions and location of the forum, ensuring the participation of independent human rights organizations, protecting victims, and preventing international events from being used to conceal, minimize, or justify human rights violations. DAYANÇ also intends to submit available documentary evidence concerning individual cases and systemic problems, including restrictions on freedom of movement, denial of passports, persecution of citizens, and failures to comply with international obligations. We will seek to ensure that international institutions do not rely exclusively on official statements issued by the Turkmen government, but also consider independent testimony, complaints from victims, and evidence collected by human rights organizations. International Law Must Protect People, Not Political Reputations The adoption of a United Nations General Assembly resolution does not relieve Turkmenistan of its international obligations, nor does it constitute confirmation that human rights violations are absent in the country. The proclamation of 2028 as the Year of International Law should provide an opportunity for meaningful discussion of state responsibility, rather than serving merely as an occasion for diplomatic ceremonies. The DAYANÇ Human Rights Platform considers it essential that Turkmenistan’s compliance with fundamental human rights and freedoms be included in international discussions surrounding the implementation of this resolution. We intend to use established international procedures for submitting complaints, presenting evidence, and seeking institutional scrutiny to ensure that these concerns receive formal consideration. It is unacceptable to celebrate the supremacy of international law while ignoring the suffering of people who have spent years seeking justice, freedom, security, and protection of their most basic rights. International law must serve the protection of human beings, not provide a cover for political propaganda. The DAYANÇ Human Rights Platform will continue documenting violations and preparing international submissions aimed at promoting accountability, transparency, and genuine respect for human rights. HUMAN RIGHTS PLATFORM OF THE DAYANÇ CIVIL MOVEMENT / TURKMENISTAN Diana Dadasheva Chair — France Lala Abdyrahmanova Representative — Türkiye Website: https://dayanchcivil.com Email: dayanch.civil@gmail.com Official Sources United Nations — International Years: https://www.un.org/observances/international-years United Nations General Assembly — 106th Plenary Meeting, 80th Session: https://transcripts.un.org/en/ga/80/106 UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/295 — Year of International Law, 2028. Human Rights Watch — World Report 2026, Turkmenistan: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2026/country-chapters/turkmenistan Amnesty International — Turkmenistan: https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/eastern-europe-and-central-asia/turkmenistan/