April 23 — Children’s Day: Congratulations and the Reality of Children’s Rights in Turkmenistan

Today, Turkey celebrates Children’s Day — a holiday that symbolizes the future and the responsibility of society toward the younger generation. On behalf of the Human Rights Platform of the civil movement “Dayanç” (Turkmenistan), we congratulate all children and wish them a bright future, freedom, respect for their rights, and real protection. We want children to be safe at all times — not only on holidays. Every child, regardless of the country they live in, should be surrounded by care, attention, and dignity. There must be no violence, humiliation, or fear in their lives. However, on this day, we cannot remain silent about the situation of children in Turkmenistan. In Turkmenistan, children effectively have no real protection of their rights. Most children grow up with at least one parent absent — not because of tragedy, but because parents are forced to leave the country for work due to extremely low wages and the ongoing economic crisis. This is a direct result of failed policies, dictatorship, and systemic human rights violations. It is the consequence of power being concentrated in the hands of a narrow circle that is unable to ensure a dignified life for its citizens. Children in such conditions remain unprotected. Recently, a law was introduced imposing fines on parents for “improper upbringing,” care, or even for failing to send their children to school. At first glance, this may appear to be a measure of concern. But the key question is: why does the state begin with punishment instead of support? Why is there no law providing proper child benefits up to the age of 18 — or at least until the completion of education? Why is the minimal allowance paid only up to the age of three considered sufficient “care” by the state? This does not give the state the moral right to impose such penalties. Caring for children does not begin with punishing parents. It begins with supporting those parents by providing: — jobs — fair wages that correspond to real living costs — social support — access to basic living conditions There is an urgent need for crisis centers and support services for children and families. There must be real protection from violence — at home, in schools, and on the streets. Today in Turkmenistan, there is no effective system to protect children from abuse, humiliation, or violence. There are no reliable mechanisms of assistance. Children must have: — equal access to education regardless of their place of residence — opportunities for development and safe public spaces — the right to express their opinions — the right to a dignified childhood On this day, we also want to remind the world of specific cases. The children of Gülala Hasanova, who were left without their father due to the actions of the Berdimuhamedov regime. The children of Maral Annaeva, whose situation is also a direct result of this system. These are not isolated stories. They are consequences of policy. We can only speak of happy children when: their parents are safe, their parents do not disappear for exercising their right to freedom of expression, their parents are protected by the state — wherever they are in the world. Only then can real childhood exist. Until that happens, it is impossible to speak about the protection of children’s rights in Turkmenistan.