The regime in Turkmenistan remained deeply authoritarian. Serious human rights violations were routine. The right to health was violated in the context of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The authorities continued to deny that there were any cases of COVID-19 despite evidence...

Kasymberdi Garaev was summoned by police and went missing on 24 October after the publication of an online article in which he was cited describing the problems he faced as a gay man in Turkmenistan. On the evening of 6 November, he contacted Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to say he had been able...

Kasymberdi Garaev, a 24-year-old doctor, came out as gay in an online article published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Turkmen Service on 21 October. He spoke of his despair as same sex relations between men are a crime in Turkmenistan. He was summoned to a police station on 24 October and...

Mansur Mingelov, sentenced to 22 years imprisonment in an unfair trial in retaliation for complaints about torture in police detention, is critically ill with tuberculosis contracted in prison. He must be immediately and unconditionally released.

On 15 February independent Turkmenistani journalist Khudayberdy Allashov and his mother, Kurbantach Arazmedova, were given three-year conditional sentences after being found guilty of possessing chewing tobacco. They were released from the courtroom.

Journalist Khudayberdy Allashov was detained on 3 December, together with his wife and mother, in Turkmenistan. He is accused of possessing chewing tobacco, which is a criminal offence, and faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. His mother also remains in detention.

Freelance journalist Saparmamed Nepeskuliev, whose current whereabouts are unknown, is believed to have been held incommunicado by Turkmenistani authorities for a month. His likely arrest and detention may be linked to his work as a freelance journalist. He is at risk of torture or other...

Despite numerous complaints from residents the authorities are proceeding with a mass demolition project, and scores of families in the north of Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, are facing forced evictions.

Mansur Mingelov is still awaiting a retrial in line with international fair trial standards despite promises made to him by the authorities to review his case.

Mansur Mingelov is still awaiting a retrial in line with international fair trial standards despite promises made to him by the authorities to review his case.

On 8 June Mansur Mingelov ended a hunger strike that had lasted for almost three weeks after some Turkmenistani officials reportedly visited him in prison and the attitude of the prison authorities towards him has improved. However, there is no official indication that there will be a retrial in...

After announcing a hunger strike on 19 May, Mansur Mingelov, 39, who was sentenced to 22-year imprisonment after unfair trial, is being threatened with force feeding.

A Turkmen citizen of Baloch origin faces imminent transfer to Ovadan-Depe prison in Turkmenistan. During his previous time at the prison he was regularly beaten.