Urgent Appeal Regarding the Visit of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Brussels

To the Leadership of the European Union To the European Commission To the European Parliament To the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium From: Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement “DAYANÇ / Turkmenistan” Date: February 23, 2026 Your Excellencies, We respectfully address you in connection with the visit of the President of Turkmenistan, Mr. Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to Brussels. We urge you, as representatives of democratic institutions founded on human rights, dignity, and the rule of law, not to legitimize or support the authoritarian regime of Turkmenistan without openly addressing the systematic human rights violations occurring in the country. Fundamental human rights are systematically violated in Turkmenistan, including: – freedom of speech and access to independent media; – freedom of movement and the right to family reunification; – freedom of peaceful assembly and expression; – the right to a fair trial and an independent judiciary. Power is effectively concentrated in the hands of one ruling family. There is no meaningful dialogue between the government and its citizens. All decisions are made without public participation. Of particular concern is Article 30, Paragraph 9 of the Migration Law of Turkmenistan, which directly contradicts international law, including Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This provision is used to arbitrarily restrict citizens’ right to leave their country and reunite with their families. As a result, thousands of Turkmen citizens are unable to exercise their lawful right to freedom of movement. Hundreds of families remain separated for years. Obstacles in issuing passports abroad leave citizens vulnerable to human trafficking, forced labor, recruitment into armed conflicts, including the war against Ukraine, and other forms of exploitation. Economic collapse and lack of employment opportunities have caused mass migration, leaving children separated from their parents. Infrastructure in regions outside Ashgabat continues to deteriorate. We are deeply concerned about transnational repression. Activists and human rights defenders have been subjected to forced deportations, abductions, and enforced disappearances. Their fate often remains unknown. Independent media and an independent judiciary do not exist. Forced labor, violence in detention facilities, and discrimination based on regional, ethnic, and linguistic identity continue. Citizens who attempt to speak publicly, even through social media, face intimidation and persecution. This is happening now, in the 21st century. We urge you not to ignore these realities during official meetings. Any cooperation must be conditioned on measurable and real improvements in human rights. We appeal to your commitment to human dignity and democratic values and ask you to stand in solidarity with the civil society of Turkmenistan. Respectfully, Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement “DAYANÇ / Turkmenistan”