Human Rights Watch Reports on Turkmenistan's Human Rights Record in 2026

On January 9, 2026, Human Rights Watch released its annual World Report, highlighting ongoing human rights concerns in Turkmenistan. The report underscores severe restrictions on civil and political rights, including freedom of expression, association, religion, and peaceful assembly.

Key Findings

The report identifies several critical issues:

• Freedom of Expression: The government maintains strict control over all media, with no independent outlets permitted. Internet access is heavily censored, and authorities routinely target individuals who express dissenting views.
• Political Prisoners and Enforced Disappearances: Numerous individuals remain imprisoned on politically motivated charges, with the fate of many unknown due to enforced disappearances.
• Freedom of Movement: Authorities arbitrarily interfere with citizens' right to travel, including refusing to renew passports through consulates abroad, effectively forcing citizens to return to Turkmenistan where they may face persecution.
• Religious Freedom: The state heavily regulates religious practices, with unregistered religious activities banned and limited access to religious materials and education.
• Women's Rights: Women and girls face pervasive restrictions, including limited access to reproductive health services and a lack of legal protections against domestic violence.

Call for Reform

Human Rights Watch urges the Turkmen government to implement substantial reforms to address these human rights violations. The organization calls on international partners to press Turkmenistan to adhere to its international obligations and to respect the fundamental rights of its citizens.