"We Want Only Justice"

"We Want Only Justice" Open Appeal to the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Türkiye, the Diplomatic Corps of Türkiye, the People of Türkiye, the United Nations, and the International Community 24 July 2026 marks exactly one year since the disappearance of Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov, citizens of Turkmenistan. One year ago, two families lost contact with their loved ones. For one year, children have been waiting for their fathers to return. For one year, the struggle for truth has continued. For one year, the most important question has remained unanswered: Where are Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov? Throughout this entire period, the Human Rights Platform of the Dayanch Civil Movement / Turkmenistan, together with the families of the disappeared and their lawyers, has consistently sought to establish the truth. Numerous appeals have been submitted to the state authorities of the Republic of Türkiye, law enforcement agencies, judicial authorities, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and international human rights mechanisms. Yet, one year later, the fate of Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov remains unknown. According to the documented chronology of events, on 24 July 2025, following Alisher Sakhatov's final telephone conversation with his wife, all contact with both men was lost. The administration of the removal center later stated that they had allegedly been released later that evening. However, they have not been seen since, and their families have received no official information regarding their fate. Throughout the investigation, the lawyers repeatedly requested access to surveillance camera recordings that could have been crucial in establishing the last known circumstances surrounding their disappearance. However, the official request was submitted only after a considerable delay. The authorities subsequently stated that the recordings had already been deleted because the mandatory retention period had expired. As a result, one of the potentially most significant pieces of evidence was lost. Over the past year, the Human Rights Platform of the Dayanch Civil Movement / Turkmenistan has continued to document this case independently. Our organization has received information indicating that Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov may have been transported to Turkmenistan aboard a cargo aircraft. According to the information available to us, the operation was allegedly led by Aman Geldy Amangeldiev. These allegations require an independent, comprehensive, and impartial investigation. Furthermore, our organization possesses witness testimony describing the alleged mechanisms of transnational repression targeting citizens of Turkmenistan, including information on how, according to the witnesses, certain Turkmen civic activists were taken out of Türkiye. These materials may be of significant relevance to the investigation into the disappearance of Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov. In accordance with our previously stated position, we are prepared to provide the available video testimonies and documentary evidence upon official request from the United Nations, diplomatic missions, international human rights organizations, and other competent international institutions. Today, on the first anniversary of their disappearance, we announce the launch of an international peaceful awareness campaign under the common slogan: "We Want Only Justice." We call upon the President of the Republic of Türkiye, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor, and all other competent state authorities to ensure an independent, effective, comprehensive, and transparent investigation aimed at establishing all the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov. We also call upon the diplomatic missions of the Republic of Türkiye around the world, as well as the diplomatic corps accredited in Türkiye, to give this case the attention it deserves and to support efforts aimed at establishing the truth. We further appeal to the United Nations, the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, international human rights organizations, the UN Special Procedures, the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, international media, and civil society to continue paying close attention to this case until the fate of the disappeared has been established. We also address the people of Türkiye. We believe that justice, respect for human dignity, and the rule of law are values that unite people regardless of their origin, nationality, or beliefs. Today, two families continue to live between hope and uncertainty. Five children continue to wait for their fathers. No one should remain indifferent to this tragedy. We are not asking for special treatment. We are not asking for privileges. We demand an effective investigation. We demand that the truth be established. We demand that justice be restored. Until the fate of Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov is established, our work will continue. We will continue to appeal to state authorities, international organizations, diplomatic missions, human rights institutions, and the media. We will continue to use every lawful and peaceful means available until their families receive the answers they have been waiting for over the past year. One year has passed. But there can be no statute of limitations on the search for truth. We Want Only Justice. Human Rights Platform of the Dayanch Civil Movement / Turkmenistan 24 July 2026