When the Truth Is More Frightening Than Real Problems

When the Truth Is More Frightening Than Real Problems The Dayanç Human Rights Platform / Turkmenistan was pleased to see the distinguished Turkmen journalist and human rights defender Gurbansoltan Achilova participating in an international event. We sincerely thank the organizers and the Embassy for inviting a person who has, for many years, remained one of the bravest and most principled voices of independent journalism in Turkmenistan. Such invitations are not only a recognition of Ms. Achilova's professionalism but also an important demonstration of international solidarity with those who continue to defend the public's right to access truthful information despite years of persecution. In this regard, the Dayanç Human Rights Platform / Turkmenistan also joins the position expressed in the Progres Online article, "Why Is the Government of Turkmenistan Afraid of One Elderly Journalist?" published on 25 November 2024. According to the published information, in 2023, Gurbansoltan Achilova was prevented from traveling to Geneva to receive the prestigious Martin Ennals Award after her passport was reportedly destroyed during passport control at the airport. In November 2024, she was reportedly forcibly placed in an infectious disease hospital, once again preventing her from personally receiving her well-deserved international award. Of particular significance is the public statement made by Olof Skoog, the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights. Following his meeting with Gurbansoltan Achilova in Ashgabat on 26 June 2024, he stated: > "Protecting civil society and those defending human rights and democracy remains central to the EU. In Turkmenistan I met with Soltan Achilova – a fearless journalist and Martin Ennals awardee. We expect for her to be able to travel to Geneva and receive her reward at her convenience." More than two years have now passed, yet these expectations have still not been fulfilled. Instead, the restrictions on Ms. Achilova's freedom of movement and the pressure against her have continued, raising serious concerns within the international community. Paradoxically, it appears that in Turkmenistan a single independent journalist is regarded as posing a greater threat to the state than corruption, poverty, the impunity of public officials, and the absence of an independent judiciary combined. If that is indeed the case, then the problem clearly lies not with journalism, but with the authorities' attitude toward freedom of expression. It is difficult to understand why a state equipped with every institution of power, a vast administrative apparatus, and extensive security structures has, for years, feared an elderly woman whose only "weapons" are honesty, professional integrity, and a commitment to telling the truth. Such policies only deepen the international community's concerns regarding the state of freedom of expression and human rights in Turkmenistan. Persecuting journalists cannot conceal existing problems—it only makes them even more visible. The Dayanç Human Rights Platform / Turkmenistan expresses its full solidarity with Gurbansoltan Achilova and joins the call made by Progres Online, as well as by international human rights organizations, to: Immediately end all forms of persecution against Gurbansoltan Achilova; Lift all restrictions on her freedom of movement; Allow her to travel freely to Geneva to receive her well-deserved international award and participate in international events; End the intimidation and harassment of independent journalists, human rights defenders, and representatives of civil society. We also call upon the European Union, the United Nations, the OSCE, diplomatic missions, and international human rights organizations to continue closely monitoring the situation of Gurbansoltan Achilova and other independent journalists in Turkmenistan. We sincerely hope that continued international support will enable Ms. Achilova to carry out her professional work freely and that the authorities of Turkmenistan will choose to fulfill their international human rights obligations rather than continue persecuting those who peacefully exercise their right to freedom of expression. Sources Progres Online. "Why Is the Government of Turkmenistan Afraid of One Elderly Journalist?" (25 November 2024). Statement by Olof Skoog, European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, published on X (formerly Twitter) on 26 June 2024 following his meeting with Gurbansoltan Achilova.