DOCSLIB.ORG

The China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly THE CHINA AND EURASIA FORUM QUARTERLY Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program Volume 8, No. 3 Autumn 2010 Turkmenistan THE CHINA AND EURASIA FORUM QUARTERLY Volume 8, No. 3 Autumn 2010 Editor-in-Chief Niklas Swanström Institute for Security and Development Policy The China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly is a publication of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program. The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program is a joint transatlantic independent and externally funded research and policy center. The Joint Center has offices in Washington and Stockholm, and is affiliated with the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University and the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP). It is the first Institution of its kind in Europe and North America, and is today firmly established as a leading center for research and policy worldwide, serving a large and diverse community of analysts, scholars, policy-watchers, business leaders and journalists. The Joint Center aims to be at the forefront of research on issues of conflict, security and development in the region; and to function as a focal point for academic, policy, and public discussion of the region through its applied research, its publications, teaching, research cooperation, public lectures and seminars. The China and Eurasia Forum is an independent forum which seeks to bring together regional experts, academics, government policy makers, and business leaders with an interest in the growing relationship between China and Eurasia. Focusing primarily on Sino-Central Asian, Sino-Russian, and Sino-Caucasian relations, the aim of the China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly is to foster discussion and information sharing between a geographically distant community that recognizes the significance of China's emergence in this important part of the world. China and Eurasia Forum Website: www.chinaeurasia.org Abstracting Services The China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly is currently noted in the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS) and is also available through the EBSCO Research Databases. Subscriptions Subscription inquiries and requests for hard copies should be addressed to: The China and Eurasia Forum, The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036, United States or The China and Eurasia Forum, The Silk Road Studies Program, Institute for Security and Development Policy, V. Finnbodav. 2, 13130 Nacka-Stockholm, Sweden. E-mail: [email protected] Submission Guidelines Details available at: www.chinaeurasia.org/submission-guidelines.html The statements of fact or opinion expressed in the articles and commentaries do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher and sponsors. Printed in Singapore by Stallion Press Ltd. © Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program, 2007. The China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly (ISSN 1653-4212) is published by the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program <www.silkroadstudies.org>. Map used in the cover design is courtesy of the University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin. This publication was made possible with the support of The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and The Swedish Research Council THE CHINA AND EURASIA FORUM QUARTERLY EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Niklas Swanström Institute for Security and Development Policy, Sweden E-mail: [email protected] Managing Editor Sébastien Peyrouse Institute for Security and Development Policy, Sweden E-mail: [email protected] Associate Managing Editor Christopher Len Institute for Security and Development Policy, Sweden E-mail: [email protected] Senior Advisors Daniel L. Burghart Malia K. Du Mont National Defense University, Co-Founder of the China-Eurasia Forum USA and Former Associate Editor of the CEF Quarterly, USA Svante Cornell Director, Institute for Security and Matthew Oresman Development Policy, Sweden Co-Founder of the China-Eurasia Forum, Former Director of the China-Eurasia David M. Finkelstein Forum and Former Editor of the CEF The CNA Corporation, USA Quarterly, USA Pan Guang S. Frederick Starr Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus China Institute, USA Bates Gill Farkhod Tolipov Director, Stockholm International Peace National University of Uzbekistan, Research Institute, Sweden Uzbekistan Zhao Huasheng Dmitri V. Trenin Fudan University, China Carnegie Endowment for International James A. Millward Peace, Russia Georgetown University, USA THE CHINA AND EURASIA FORUM QUARTERLY Review Committee Jeremy Allouche Marlène Laruelle Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk University of Sussex, UK Road Studies Program, USA/Sweden Luca Anceschi Li Lifan La Trobe University, Melbourne, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Australia China Eric Brown Richard Pomfret Hudson Institute, Washington D.C., USA University of Adelaide, Australia Nicolas De Pedro Anita Sengupta Complutense University, Madrid, Spain Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata, India Mohammed-Reza Djalili Meena Singh Roy Institut Universitaire des hautes études Institute for Defence Studies and internationales, Genève, Switzerland Analyses, New Delhi, India Thierry Kellner Gael Raballand Brussels University, Brussels, Belgium World Bank, Washington D.C., USA Simbal Khan Uyama Tomohiko Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan Pakistan Thrassy Marketos Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Greece THE CHINA AND EURASIA FORUM QUARTERLY Volume 8, No. 3 Autumn 2010 Contents Editors’ Note………………………………………………………….………………………….1 Special Issue: Turkmenistan Editors: Luca Anceschi and Sébastien Peyrouse -- Analytical Articles -- Turkmenistan: Permanent Transition or Elusive Stability? Steven Sabol……..…….....………………………….…….………………………….………….5 Changes in the Political Elite in Post-Soviet Turkmenistan Slavomír Horák……...……....………….……………………………………….…………….27 Berdymukhammedov’s Turkmenistan: A Modest Shift in Domestic and Social Politics Sébastien Peyrouse………….....……………………...………………….……………………47 Turkmenistan: A Promised Land for Doing Business? Macroeconomic Reforms under Berdymukhammedov Jan !ír………….……............……………………………….…………….……………………67 External Conditionality, Domestic Insulation and Energy Security: The International Politics of Post-Niyazov Turkmenistan Luca Anceschi…….……..….....………………..…….………………………………………..93 General -- Commentaries -- China’s Policy on the Conflict in Afghanistan Pan Guang……….....…………….………….………….………………………………………115 Towards a New Framework for Cross-Border Pipelines: The International Pipeline Agency Ishrak Ahmed Siddiky…………………………………..……….……………………………121 -- Analytical Articles -- National Identity and Invented Tradition: The Rehabilitation of Traditional Medicine in Post-Soviet Uzbekistan Sophie Hohmann………………….….…..……………………….……………………………129 The Geopolitical Consequences of the U.S.-Russian “Military Airbase Race” in Central Asia Fabio Indeo…..….....………………………..……….…………….…………………………..149 Labor Migration From Central Asia To Russia: Mutual Social Perception in the Orenburg Oblast Igor Savin..……………………...…………..…………………………..………………………173 1 Editors’ Note Dear Readers, Turkmenistan is generally regarded as the most obscure amongst the political systems of post-Soviet Central Asia. The cloud of mystery surrounding the Turkmen state thickened during the erratic and mercurial rule of its first President, Saparmurat Niyazov, whose eccentricities have regularly attracted the attention (and the sarcasm) of both Western and Russian media. Beyond past absurdities, the Turkmen state demands our attention, not only for its significant natural resources and its key geo-strategic position, but also for the tolerant disposition of the local population, who had to endure two decades of extreme isolation. Throughout the post-Soviet era, Turkmenistan strictly pursued a policy of “perpetual neutrality,” with a view of obtaining free hands in its dealings with Russia, diluting the different pressures exerted by the West within the context of the Iran question, and gaining a stronger bargaining position in its relations with the Taliban regime. The degree of international isolation surrounding the state appeared consistent with the deteriorating domestic political scene, which witnessed the emergence of extreme forms of authoritarian governance, the rehabilitation of pseudo- traditional political institutions allegedly inspired by the historical specificity of the Turkmen past and the introduction of a large number of draconian social measures, whose devastating effect was primarily felt in two key sectors, namely the education and the health system. With the death of Niyazov and the accession to power of Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, two diverging trends came to characterize the domestic and external spheres of Turkmen politics. On the one hand, Turkmenistan is opening - tentatively although inexorably - to the outer world. The Berdymukhammedov era witnessed a rapprochement in relations with Azerbaijan, the strengthening - in spite of some temporary hiccups - of Ashgabat’s partnership with Iran, the intensification of the always difficult ties with Russia, the emergence of strong bilateral links with China and a progressive thaw in the relations with the West in general and the European Union in particular. On the other hand, the domestic political situation remains
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 49370-002: National Power Grid Strengthening Project
    Initial Environmental Examination Final Report Project No.: 49370-002 October 2020 Turkmenistan: National Power Grid Strengthening Project Volume 4 Prepared by the Ministry of Energy, Government of Turkmenistan for the Asian Development Bank. The Initial Environmental Examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. 49370-002: TKM TKM Power Sector Development Project 81. Out of these IBAs, eight IBAs are located close to phase I Transmission line alignments. Four IBAs are located close to proposed Gurtly (Ashgabat) to Balkanabat Transmission line. And four falls close to existing Sardar (West) to Dashoguz Transmission line. No IBA falls close to Dashoguz-Balkan Transmission line. The view of these IBAs with respect to transmission alignment of phase I are shown at Figure 4.17. 82. There are 8 IBAs along phase II alignment. Two IBAs, i.e. Lotfatabad & Darregaz and IBA Mergen is located at approx 6.0 km &approx 9.10 km from alignment respectively. The view of these IBAs with respect to transmission alignment of phase II is shown at Figure 4.18. : Presence of Important Bird Areas close to Proposed/existing
    [Show full text]
  • Turkmenistan
    PROFILE OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT : TURKMENISTAN Compilation of the information available in the Global IDP Database of the Norwegian Refugee Council (as of 18 October, 2005) Also available at http://www.idpproject.org Users of this document are welcome to credit the Global IDP Database for the collection of information. The opinions expressed here are those of the sources and are not necessarily shared by the Global IDP Project or NRC Norwegian Refugee Council/Global IDP Project Chemin de Balexert, 7-9 1219 Geneva - Switzerland Tel: + 41 22 799 07 00 Fax: + 41 22 799 07 01 E-mail : [email protected] CONTENTS CONTENTS 1 COUNTRY PROFILE 2 TURKMENISTAN: GOVERNMENT USES FORCED DISPLACEMENT AS TOOL OF REPRESSION 2 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 8 LIST OF SOURCES USED 9 COUNTRY PROFILE Turkmenistan: government uses forced displacement as tool of repression Forced displacement is one of the many ways in which President-for-life Saparmurat Niyazov exercises authoritarian rule and control in Turkmenistan. Turkmen law contains a number of provisions which explicitly allow forced relocation to be used as punishment for certain crimes committed by civilians, however, in practice these laws are used as legal justification for the displacement of political opponents and ethnic minorities. After a failed assassination attempt on President Niyazov in November 2002, the government intensified its search for “internal enemies”, aggravating the risk of forced relocation for political opponents and their relatives. Ethnic minorities are also at a heightened risk of forced displacement due to a government initiated discrimination campaign intended to forcibly assimilate ethnic minorities within Turkmenistan. There are numerous unconfirmed reports of forced relocation of ethnic minorities in the country’s border regions.
    [Show full text]
  • Turkmenistan
    BTI 2020 Country Report Turkmenistan This report is part of the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index (BTI) 2020. It covers the period from February 1, 2017 to January 31, 2019. The BTI assesses the transformation toward democracy and a market economy as well as the quality of governance in 137 countries. More on the BTI at https://www.bti-project.org. Please cite as follows: Bertelsmann Stiftung, BTI 2020 Country Report — Turkmenistan. Gütersloh: Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2020. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Contact Bertelsmann Stiftung Carl-Bertelsmann-Strasse 256 33111 Gütersloh Germany Sabine Donner Phone +49 5241 81 81501 [email protected] Hauke Hartmann Phone +49 5241 81 81389 [email protected] Robert Schwarz Phone +49 5241 81 81402 [email protected] Sabine Steinkamp Phone +49 5241 81 81507 [email protected] BTI 2020 | Turkmenistan 3 Key Indicators Population M 5.9 HDI 0.710 GDP p.c., PPP $ 19270 Pop. growth1 % p.a. 1.6 HDI rank of 189 108 Gini Index - Life expectancy years 68.0 UN Education Index 0.628 Poverty3 % - Urban population % 51.6 Gender inequality2 - Aid per capita $ 5.0 Sources (as of December 2019): The World Bank, World Development Indicators 2019 | UNDP, Human Development Report 2019. Footnotes: (1) Average annual growth rate. (2) Gender Inequality Index (GII). (3) Percentage of population living on less than $3.20 a day at 2011 international prices. Executive Summary In 2017 and 2018, Turkmenistan made further adjustments to its legislation in line with international legal norms.
    [Show full text]
  • The Geopolitics of Natural Gas Turkmenistan: Real Energy Giant Or Eternal Potential?
    The Geopolitics of Natural Gas Turkmenistan: Real Energy Giant or Eternal Potential? Harvard University’s Belfer Center and Rice University’s Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies December 2013 JAMES A. BAKER III INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RICE UNIVERSITY TURKMENISTAN: REAL ENERGY GIANT OR ETERNAL POTENTIAL? BY MARTHA BRILL OLCOTT, PH.D. SENIOR ASSOCIATE RUSSIA AND EURASIA PROGRAM CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE DECEMBER 10, 2013 Turkmenistan: Real Energy Giant or Eternal Potential? THESE PAPERS WERE WRITTEN BY A RESEARCHER (OR RESEARCHERS) WHO PARTICIPATED IN A BAKER INSTITUTE RESEARCH PROJECT. WHEREVER FEASIBLE, THESE PAPERS ARE REVIEWED BY OUTSIDE EXPERTS BEFORE THEY ARE RELEASED. HOWEVER, THE RESEARCH AND VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THESE PAPERS ARE THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUAL RESEARCHER(S), AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE JAMES A. BAKER III INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY. © 2013 BY THE JAMES A. BAKER III INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY OF RICE UNIVERSITY THIS MATERIAL MAY BE QUOTED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION, PROVIDED APPROPRIATE CREDIT IS GIVEN TO THE AUTHOR AND THE JAMES A. BAKER III INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY. 2 Turkmenistan: Real Energy Giant or Eternal Potential? Acknowledgments The Center for Energy Studies of Rice University’s Baker Institute would like to thank ConocoPhillips and the sponsors of the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies for their generous support of this program. The Center for Energy Studies further acknowledges the contributions by study researchers and writers. Energy Forum Members Advisory Board Associate Members Accenture Direct Energy The Honorable & Mrs. Hushang Ansary Hess Corporation Baker Botts L.L.P. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.
    [Show full text]
  • Turkmenistan Country Report BTI 2018
    BTI 2018 Country Report Turkmenistan This report is part of the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index (BTI) 2018. It covers the period from February 1, 2015 to January 31, 2017. The BTI assesses the transformation toward democracy and a market economy as well as the quality of political management in 129 countries. More on the BTI at http://www.bti-project.org. Please cite as follows: Bertelsmann Stiftung, BTI 2018 Country Report — Turkmenistan. Gütersloh: Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2018. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Contact Bertelsmann Stiftung Carl-Bertelsmann-Strasse 256 33111 Gütersloh Germany Sabine Donner Phone +49 5241 81 81501 [email protected] Hauke Hartmann Phone +49 5241 81 81389 [email protected] Robert Schwarz Phone +49 5241 81 81402 [email protected] Sabine Steinkamp Phone +49 5241 81 81507 [email protected] BTI 2018 | Turkmenistan 3 Key Indicators Population M 5.7 HDI 0.691 GDP p.c., PPP $ 16880 Pop. growth1 % p.a. 1.7 HDI rank of 188 111 Gini Index - Life expectancy years 67.6 UN Education Index 0.634 Poverty3 % - Urban population % 50.4 Gender inequality2 - Aid per capita $ 4.2 Sources (as of October 2017): The World Bank, World Development Indicators 2017 | UNDP, Human Development Report 2016. Footnotes: (1) Average annual growth rate. (2) Gender Inequality Index (GII). (3) Percentage of population living on less than $3.20 a day at 2011 international prices. Executive Summary During the period under review, the government undertook reforms to harmonize legislation with international standards while intensifying cooperation with foreign countries and international organizations.
    [Show full text]
  • Turkmenistan Under Berdimuhamedow
    Dismantling Totalitarianism? Tu r k m e n i s t a n u n d e r Berdimuhamedow Slavomír Horák Jan Šír SILK ROAD PAPER March 2009 Dismantling Totalitarianism? Turkmenistan under Berdimuhamedow Slavomír Horák Jan Šír © Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program – A Joint Transatlantic Research and Policy Center Johns Hopkins University-SAIS, 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036 Institute for Security and Development Policy, V. Finnbodav. 2, Stockholm-Nacka 13130, Sweden www.silkroadstudies.org “Dismantling Totalitarianism? Turkmenistan under Berdimuhamedow” is a Silk Road Paper published by the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and the Silk Road Studies Program. The Silk Road Papers Series is the Occasional Paper series of the Joint Center, and addresses topical and timely subjects. The Joint Center is a transatlantic independent and non-profit research and policy center. It has offices in Washington and Stockholm and is affiliated with the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University and the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy. It is the first institution of its kind in Europe and North America, and is firmly established as a leading research and policy center, serving a large and diverse community of analysts, scholars, policy-watchers, business leaders, and journalists. The Joint Center is at the forefront of research on issues of conflict, security, and development in the region. Through its applied research, publications, research cooperation, public lectures, and seminars, it functions as a focal point for academic, policy, and public discussion regarding the region. The opinions and conclusions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and Silk Road Studies Program.
    [Show full text]
  • 8 Conscientious Objectors Jailed in 2021, UN Special Procedures
    Table of Contents • 8 conscientious objectors jailed in 2021, UN special procedures ignored • Police detain, threaten, swear at Muslims • Five conscientious objectors jailed in two days • Conscientious objector jailed, awaiting second trial 8 conscientious objectors jailed in 2021, UN special procedures ignored On 16 March the regime jailed another conscientious objector to military service for two years, the eighth such 2021 jailing. Like six of the other 2021 jailings, 21-year-old Jehovah's Witness Rasul Rozbayev is being punished for the second time on the same charges. The jailings ignore a December 2020 appeal by four UN special procedures. A March 2020 regime report to the UN insisted that defending the country "is the sacred duty of every citizen". By Felix Corley Forum18 (19.03.2021) - https://bit.ly/3rk2w53 - On 16 March, a court in the northern Dashoguz Region jailed 21-year-old Jehovah's Witness conscientious objector Rasul Rozbayev for two years in an ordinary regime labour camp for refusing compulsory military service. This is his second sentence on the same charges. He is the eighth conscientious objector known to have been jailed so far in 2021. All these prisoners of conscience had offered to perform an alternative civilian service, but Turkmenistan does not offer this. The regime has rejected repeated United Nations (UN) calls to introduce a genuinely civilian alternative service (see below). Forum 18 tried to find out why prosecutors bring cases to punish these prisoners of conscience such as Rozbayev, who cannot perform military service on grounds of conscience but are ready to perform an alternative, civilian service.
    [Show full text]
  • May 4, 2004 – Turkmenistan
    TURKMENISTAN CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS Chronology prepared by Bruce Pannier from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (www.rferl.org). The OSI Turkmenistan Project expresses its gratitude to Mr. Pannier for generously sharing his work. 1991 Sept. 30, 1991 - Referendum on independence announced for October 26 Oct. 2, 1991 -- IFX cites co-chairman of Democratic Party of Turkmenistan Durdymurad Khojamukhammet as criticizing call for referendum Oct. 9, 1991 -- Niyazov visits Iran Oct. 20, 1991 -- Democratic Party of Turkmenistan (not Niyazov's) holds constituent congress in Moscow, co-chairman Durdymurad Khojamuhammet says the "pro- Communist regime" wouldn't allow the congress in Ashgabat Oct. 26, 1991 -- Referendum for independence held, 94% are for it Oct. 27, 1991 -- Constitutional law on independence adopted, October 27 declared Independence Day Dec. 13, 1991 -- Leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan meet in Ashgabat and agree to join the new Commonwealth of Independent States Dec. 16, 1991 -- Democratic Party of Turkmenistan holds founding congress, right after last congress of former Communist Party 1992 Jan. 6, 1992 -- Niyazov says no plans to set up armed forces for five years (Jan. 7, 1992 -- dip. relations w/ China) Jan. 13, 1992 -- Niyazov decree transforms Turkmeninform into Turkmen Press Jan. 28, 1992 -- Danatar Kopekov who was head of State Security Committee, appointed Defense Minister Jan. 28, 1992 -- President Niyazov issues decree forming Defense Ministry Feb. 7, 1992 -- UN Security Council recommends admitting Turkmenistan to UN Feb. 19, 1992 -- At session of parliament, Niyazov proposes draft for new constitution Feb. 16(?), 1992 -- Niyazov visits Tehran for ECO meeting, Turkmenistan admitted to ECO at conference Feb.
    [Show full text]
  • Turkmenistan Handed Down a One-Year Jail Term to 18-Year-Old Jehovah's Witness Conscientious Objector to Military Service Myrat Orazgeldiyev on 3 September
    Table of Contents • 24th conscientious objector jailed since 2018 • Two jailed brothers, two second convictions • Two years in prison for two Jehovah’s Witnesses objecting to military service • Raids, fines for religious meetings • Conscientious objector jailed after second conviction • First 2020 conscientious objector jailing • Raids, searches, fines, threats, beatings, headscarf bans • Situation of Jehovah’s Witnesses 24th conscientious objector jailed since 2018 A court in Mary Region jailed 18-year-old Myrat Orazgeldiyev for one year on 3 September, the 24th Jehovah's Witness conscientious objector to military service to be imprisoned since January 2018. Eleven – including Orazgeldiyev – are now jailed, eight of them at the harsh Seydi Labour Camp, where a former prisoner of conscience described conditions as "inhuman". All 24 young men offered to do an alternative civilian service, but none exists. By Felix Corley Forum 18 (11.09.2020) - https://bit.ly/3hWALdR - A court in Mary Region of eastern Turkmenistan handed down a one-year jail term to 18-year-old Jehovah's Witness conscientious objector to military service Myrat Orazgeldiyev on 3 September. He had told the Military Conscription Office he was ready to do an alternative civilian service, but Turkmenistan has rejected repeated United Nations calls to introduce such a service. He is appealing against his conviction to Mary Regional Court. Orazgeldiyev's jailing brings to five the number of conscientious objectors to military service, all Jehovah's Witnesses, known to have been imprisoned so far in 2020. It also brings to 24 the number of known criminal convictions and jailings for conscientious objection since January 2018 (see below).
    [Show full text]
  • The Elite in Post- Soviet and Post-Niyazow Turkmenistan: Does Political Culture Form a Leader?
    THE ELITE IN POST- SOVIET AND POST-NIYAZOW TURKMENISTAN: DOES POLITICAL CULTURE FORM A LEADER? SLAVOMÍR HORÁK THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, CHARLES UNIVERSITY IN PRAGUE Abstract: This article analyses the transformation of the Turkmenistani elite, focusing on the period after the 2006 death of the first president, Saparmyrat Niyazow (“Turkmenbashy”). I argue that the process of elite formation in highly centralized systems, such as that in Turkmenistan, is determined by the character of the first leader, who has a long-lasting impact on the local political culture. The uniqueness of Turkmenbashy and the political culture he founded were based on his solitude and isolation both from the domestic and outside worlds. Even if such a situation is hardly likely to occur again in the future, his legacy is transferrable to subsequent generations of leadership in the country. Turkmenbashy’s successor, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, has followed political tradition as a successful way of holding onto the reins of power, notwithstanding some minor changes due to the new leader’s different roots in the traditional structures of Turkmen society. 371 372 Demokratizatsiya ince the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Turkmenistan has been Sconsidered one of the most bizarre regimes in the post-Soviet area and one of the closest to the totalitarian ideal.1 In attempting to understand the character of the Turkmen regime after 1991, scholars usually pay attention to the legacy of the pre-Soviet period and the Soviet regime.2 The trans- formation of tribal Turkmen society into a regional-based kinship backed by the Russian and then Soviet authorities has contributed considerably to the current regime’s character.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Turkmenistan Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
    v REVIEW OF TURKMENISTAN UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, 119th session, Geneva, March 2017 This document has been prepared as a submission to the United Nations Human Rights Committee ahead of its review of the second periodic report submitted by Turkmenistan under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) at its 119th session in Geneva in March 2017. The submission has been jointly prepared by Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) and International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) and constitutes an updated and adapted version of of the report prepared by the two organizations prior to the Committee’s adoption of its List of Issues on Turkmenistan. It covers the implementation of the ICCPR in a number of key areas and details concerns with respect to wide-ranging restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association; repression of civil society; violations of freedom of movement; politically motivated trials, torture and disappearances; forcible evictions; as well as legislation and practices curtailing freedom of religion. The submission is based on information obtained by TIHR with the help of an in-country network of activists, who carry out their work non-publicly and at a great risk to themselves and their families, as well as analyses of national legal instruments and other relevant information. It was finalized on 31 January 2017. Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) is the successor organisation of the Helsinki Group of Turkmenistan and was registered as an independent association in Vienna in November 2004.
    [Show full text]
  • Blank Prodoc Template
    United Nations Development Programme Project Document Project title: Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Awaza Country: Implementing Partner: Management Arrangements: Turkmenistan State Committee for Environmental National Implementation Modality Protection and Land Resources of (NIM) Turkmenistan UNDAF/Country Programme Outcome: Outcome 2.2: Environmentally sustainable use of natural resources contributes to effectiveness of economic processes and increased quality of life UNDP Strategic Plan Outputs: Output 1.3: Solutions developed at national and sub-national levels for sustainable management of natural resources, ecosystem services, chemicals, and waste. Output 1.5. Inclusive and sustainable solutions adopted to achieve increased energy efficiency. UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Category: UNDP Gender Marker: Low Risk GEN1 Atlas Project ID/Award ID number: 00081872 Atlas Output ID/Project ID number: 00091000 UNDP-GEF PIMS ID number: 5452 GEF ID number: 9279 Planned start date: Planned end date: September 2017 August 2023 LPAC date: TBD Brief project description: Population growth and economic development have led to rapid expansion of cities in Turkmenistan over the past two decades, most notably in the capital city of Ashgabat and the resort zone of Awaza on the Caspian Sea. This growth has had an increasing negative environmental impact – resource consumption, waste, local air and water pollution, and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). Ashgabat and Awaza have already embraced some measures to manage this impact. But there remains much untapped technical potential to decrease the volume and impact of private vehicle traffic in all cities, further expand efficient street lighting, reduce waste and increase recycling, and introduce “green” practices to hotels.
    [Show full text]