On 5 October 2018 International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) and Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) sent a letter to Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission ahead of the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov on 12 October 2018, in Brussels.
In the letter two organisations have outlined pressing human rights issues to be addressed by EU’s High Representative during the meeting with the Foreign Minister.
National media is strictly controlled by the state, while authorities impose severe restrictions on foreign media and information sources, including arbitrary removal of the satellite dishes, which are sources to watch and listen to foreign TV and radio stations.
Independent journalists and activists operating inside the country face continuous harassment and intimidation. While dozens of individuals previously imprisoned after trials shrouded in secrecy remain forcibly disappeared in Turkmenistan.
Several thousands of citizens remain on an arbitrarily travel restriction, not able to travel abroad for not specified reasons.
Read full letter here.