“CONCERN” WITHOUT RESPONSIBILITY

“CONCERN” WITHOUT RESPONSIBILITY Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan issued a statement expressing its “concern” and calling for the resolution of the conflict through political and diplomatic means in accordance with the UN Charter. The wording is correct. Diplomatically precise. Neutral. However, a fundamental question arises: where are the citizens of Turkmenistan in this statement? While the world responds to crises with concrete measures — publishing safety instructions, opening hotlines, organizing evacuation routes — Turkmen authorities have limited themselves to general rhetoric. Additional concern arises from another fact. On social media, particularly TikTok, information has circulated stating that Russian citizens may leave Iran through the Turkmen-Iranian border. At the same time, there has been no official address to citizens of Turkmenistan: no safety recommendations; no clarification of procedures in case of danger; no information regarding possible evacuation; no public warnings about risks; no operational instructions from diplomatic missions. We conducted monitoring of the official resources of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Turkmen diplomatic missions in the region. At the time of publishing this statement, no operational information for Turkmen citizens had been made available. In times of instability, such informational silence is unacceptable. Neutrality does not mean silence. Neutrality means the ability to protect one’s citizens regardless of external circumstances. When a region is engulfed in tension, when borders are closing, when logistical routes are disrupted, when price increases are already being recorded inside the country — the state has an obligation to communicate openly and honestly with its people. A state is not only international meetings and diplomatic statements. A state is responsibility toward its citizens. The absence of clear and timely communication creates uncertainty and anxiety. Citizens are forced to seek information from unofficial sources, relying on rumors and social media posts. This is not the standard of a state governed by the rule of law. The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” / Turkmenistan considers it necessary to: Immediately issue an official address to citizens of Turkmenistan clarifying the current situation. Publish concrete safety recommendations for citizens located in the risk region. Clarify procedures for possible border crossing in emergency situations. Ensure transparency regarding the socio-economic consequences of the current developments. Expressing concern is not enough. Responsibility is demonstrated through action. Citizens of Turkmenistan have the right to information. They have the right to protection. They have the right to respect. And in times of crisis, these rights become especially important.