No Improvement for Religious Minorities in Turkmenistan
ICC NOTE: With new amendments being enacted within Turkmenistan, the situation for religious minorities seems to have no change for the better. There was hope in 2006 after the death of the countries previous leader however, the new amendments allow for President Berdymukhamedov to remain in office for life. Turkmenistan is 19th on the World Watch list for the worst places to live as a Christian with the estimated 95,000 feeling the brunt of government repression. Only a dozen churches are legally registered and even those regularly face check ins.
9/16/2016 Turkmenistan (World Watch Monitor) – Turkmenistan has approved a constitutional amendment that will allow its President to rule for as long as he likes.
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has ruled Turkmenistan since 2006. His predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov, died while still in office at the age of 66 – he was President for 21 years, during which time he established a bizarre personality cult in which he became officially known as “Turkmenbashi” – leader of all Turkmens. Berdymukhamedov picked up where he left off, erecting a golden statue of himself (as Niyazov had done before him) and becoming known as Turkmenistan’s “Arkadag” (protector).
The constitution had mandated that a President must stand down at the age of 70. The 59-year-old Berdymukhamedov has seen that rule scrapped. Each Presidential term has also been extended – from five to seven years.
The amendments were approved by Turkmenistan’s Council of Elders, passed unanimously in parliament, then signed into law by Berdymukhamedov. The next election will be held next year, but Berdymukhamedov is not expected to face any significant opposition.
Central Asian leaders are renowned for their extended stays in office. In May, 94.5% of Tajiks voted for similar amendments to their constitution. President Imomali Rakhmon has already been in power since 1992. Uzbekistan’s Islam Karimov had served as President since 1989 before hisdeath earlier this month. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has also ruled since 1989 and won 97.7% of the vote at the last election, held a year earlier than anticipated in 2015.