When Justice Is Out of Reach: Turkmen Citizens Are Forced to Seek Help from the President’s Relatives

When Justice Is Out of Reach The Civil Human Rights Platform DAYANCH / Turkmenistan expresses deep concern over the situation described in the publication by the independent outlet Chronicles of Turkmenistan dated January 19, 2026. The article reports that Turkmen citizens, unable to obtain help from state institutions, are forced to appeal to Oguljahan Atabayeva, the sister of the President of Turkmenistan and Vice President of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Children’s Fund. This fact alone reveals a tragic reality: in a country governed by law, citizens should seek justice through courts and institutions — not through family ties to political power. The Case of Rozygül Mamekova A particularly alarming example is the story of Rozygül Mamekova, a resident of Lebap province and mother of two children with disabilities. According to the report, Mamekova repeatedly attempted to have her case reviewed by local authorities. Instead of assistance, she faced long hours of waiting, formal excuses, and ultimate rejection. She was deliberately kept in the corridor of the district administration under the pretext that the official was busy, and later told that they could not help her. At the same time, Oguljahan Atabayeva was in the region. Later, through third parties, Mamekova was informed that Atabayeva was aware of her case and ready to meet her. However, no meeting ever took place. Mamekova then traveled to Ashgabat and later to Arkadag, where the Children’s Fund office is located. There she was told that Atabayeva receives visitors only in the first half of the day and spends the rest of the time inspecting facilities. Once again, a woman in a desperate social situation was left without real assistance. A Systemic Failure These events are not isolated incidents. They demonstrate: the absence of effective legal protection mechanisms; the formal nature of social support; dependence on personal access to power; and the complete loss of public trust in state institutions. Families with children with disabilities are not turning to courts, prosecutors, or social services — they are turning to relatives of the President. This is a clear verdict on the entire system. Position of DAYANCH We state clearly: Social assistance is not charity. Human rights are not privileges. Justice is not a favor for the chosen few. Citizens of Turkmenistan must not beg for protection through personal connections. The state is obligated to guarantee: equal access to social support; transparent assistance mechanisms for families with children with disabilities; accountability of officials; and respect for human dignity. DAYANCH considers these cases to be evidence of a systemic collapse of social and legal governance in Turkmenistan. Our Call The Civil Human Rights Platform DAYANCH / Turkmenistan calls on: international human rights organizations to closely monitor the situation of families with children with disabilities in Turkmenistan; UN bodies, UNICEF, and relevant institutions to provide a legal assessment of current practices; the Turkmen authorities to stop imitating social policy and begin real reforms. People should not search for justice. Justice must be guaranteed. Source This article is based on the publication by the independent outlet Chronicles of Turkmenistan, January 19, 2026: https://www.hronikatm.com/2026/01/ne-nashedshie-spravedlivosti-grazhdane-obrashhayutsya-k-sestre-prezidenta/