HRW published an overview of the human rights situation in Turkmenistan in 2021.
Its authors note that last year, under the rule of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov , his relatives and entourage, Turkmenistan was still one of the most repressive and closed states in the world. The authorities did not take adequate measures to mitigate the consequences of the long-term economic crisis in the country in order to meet the food and other basic needs of the population.
Despite credible reports to the contrary, the country remained one of the few states that had not officially registered a single case of COVID-19.
The authorities carefully control access to information, severely restrict freedom of the media and religion, and do not allow any independent monitoring.
Independent activists, including those in exile, and their relatives became the target of government retaliation. Dozens of people remained victims of enforced disappearance. The government continued to restrict citizens' right to freedom of movement.
The report covers the following topics:
Response to COVID-19
food security
Civil society
Freedom of the media and information
Freedom of movement
Freedom of Religion
Political prisoners, enforced disappearances, torture, rule of law
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Key international partners.
Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan