Mother’s Day in Turkmenistan: Thousands of Lives Forced Into Silence

Mother’s Day in Turkmenistan: Thousands of Lives Forced Into Silence As we continue the discussion about Mother’s Day, we want to remind the world about the women of Turkmenistan whose lives have become a reflection of fear, injustice, and impunity. About the mothers who cannot truly be happy today. Because the most important things have been taken away from them — safety, truth, freedom, family, and hope for the future. We want to remind the world about Maral Annayeva — a woman whose fate remains completely unknown. We do not know what has happened to her. We do not know where she is. We do not know what condition she is in. Because the authorities of Turkmenistan have become accustomed to hiding information, violating human rights, and leaving people in uncertainty. We also do not know what has happened to her two daughters, Melek and Nazly. How can anyone speak about protecting motherhood when children may be left without their mother, while society is denied even the right to know the truth? We also want to remind the world about Gulala Hasanova — the mother of four children and the wife of civil activist Alisher Sahatov. Is this mother happy today? The answer is obvious — no. How can a mother be happy when her children have been deprived of their father? Taken away because he spoke the truth. Because he became the voice of the people. Because he openly spoke about problems, human rights violations, and injustice. We also want to remind the world about Umida Bekjanova — a mother and human rights defender who fought for human rights despite pressure and danger. Her children also suffered because their mother exercised her lawful right to speak the truth. We also want to remind the world about Gyulyalek Gelnedzhe — a mother whose daughter died under unknown circumstances. Even a mother’s right to know the truth about her own child’s death was effectively taken away. Is this justice? Does a mother not have the right to know what happened to her daughter? We also want to remind the world about Jamal Bazarova — a mother who was imprisoned on fabricated charges. According to her testimony, she was subjected to violence in a detention center by two investigators — Ashirgeldy Musaev and Bakhtiyar Muradov. To this day, those responsible have not been punished. In addition, Jamal Bazarova reported violence in the women’s colony in Dashoguz committed by the head of the colony, Maksat Bazaganov. But the system continues to remain silent. And these are only a few stories. In reality, there are hundreds of them. Thousands of lives. Thousands of mothers. Thousands of children. We may never learn about many of these stories. Because people have been taught to remain silent for years. Taught not to complain. Not to defend themselves. Not to speak about human rights violations. To fear telling the truth. When fear becomes a state system, the entire society suffers. One ruling clan — and thousands of destroyed lives. On Mother’s Day, we want to speak not only about flowers and congratulations. We want to speak about a mother’s right to be protected. About a woman’s right to live without fear. About children’s right to see their parents free. About a person’s right to speak the truth without disappearing because of it. Because real care for mothers begins where there is justice, law, and respect for human dignity.