The Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement “Dayanç” Turkmenistan previously warned that against the backdrop of war in the region and a possible reduction in trade with Iran, prices for food and essential goods in Turkmenistan could rise sharply. We also called on the authorities of Turkmenistan to speak openly about the situation in order to prevent artificial price increases, market speculation, and public panic. In our appeals, we urged the government to: establish price controls on essential food products, present the population with a clear plan for overcoming a potential economic crisis, openly inform citizens about the current situation, risks, and safety measures. However, as in many other cases, no official response to our warnings followed. Today, international media and independent sources confirm what civil society had warned about in advance. According to Reuters, the flow of goods across the border has significantly decreased due to the war and strikes in Iran. Iran is one of the main suppliers of food and various goods to Turkmenistan. A construction materials dealer in Ashgabat told Reuters that stocks are rapidly depleting, new shipments are not arriving, and prices for Iranian goods have increased by 50–70 percent. Independent sources also report that at Ashgabat bazaars prices for some food products have nearly doubled in recent days. For example: potatoes increased from 7–8 to 16–17 manat, tomatoes from 10–12 to 20 manat, feta cheese from 35 to 45 manat, apples from 12–13 to 17–19 manat. However, it is important to emphasize that the current rise in prices is occurring against the backdrop of an already existing economic crisis in Turkmenistan. For several years, citizens of the country have been facing: a sharp decline in living standards, very low wages and pensions, shortages of goods, restrictions on currency exchange, mass labor migration, steadily rising prices for basic food products. Therefore, the current situation is further aggravating an already severe economic crisis, which has already been placing a heavy burden on the lives of millions of citizens. If the authorities continue to ignore the situation and fail to take transparent and timely measures, the consequences could become catastrophic for socially vulnerable groups. This will particularly affect: pensioners, large families, rural populations, citizens with low incomes. At the same time, state media in Turkmenistan are barely informing the public about ongoing events, including the situation surrounding the war and its possible economic consequences. Such information silence only increases anxiety in society and creates fertile ground for speculation, unjustified price increases, and further economic instability. The Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement “Dayanç” Turkmenistan once again calls on the authorities to: ensure transparent communication with citizens, take urgent measures to stabilize prices, develop a real anti-crisis plan, protect the population from shortages of essential goods and further impoverishment. Citizens of Turkmenistan have the right to know the truth about what is happening and to understand what measures the state is taking to protect their well-being and security. Sources: Reuters Progress.online Hronika Turkmenistana
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