Restriction of Freedom of Religion in Turkmenistan

The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” / Turkmenistan expresses serious concern regarding reports published by Radio Azatlyk about the effective prohibition on citizens under the age of 60 attending mosques in Turkmenistan. According to available information, law enforcement officers and representatives of special services are reportedly pressuring believers and restricting their access to mosques without any publicly known legal basis. If confirmed, such actions constitute a direct violation of the right to freedom of religion. Under its Constitution, Turkmenistan is a secular state. Secularism implies state neutrality in matters of religion — not interference and certainly not prohibition of citizens’ religious rights. It is also important to note that Islam is the traditional religion of the majority of the population. At the same time, the country’s highest officials — Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov — have publicly performed the Hajj pilgrimage and visited Mecca. This raises a legitimate question: on what grounds are ordinary citizens restricted from practicing their religion and attending mosques? Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion is guaranteed by: the Constitution of Turkmenistan; Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Turkmenistan is a State Party. Any limitations on religious practice are permissible only if prescribed by law and strictly necessary for the protection of public safety, order, health, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. Age-based restrictions without transparent legal justification contradict Turkmenistan’s international obligations. We emphasize: Secularism is a guarantee of freedom — not a tool of control. Faith is a personal right — not a privilege granted based on age. The Human Rights Platform of the Civic Movement “DAYANÇ” / Turkmenistan calls on the authorities to: Officially clarify the legal grounds for such restrictions, if they exist. Ensure full respect for constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion. Cease any form of pressure on citizens related to attendance at religious institutions. We also draw the attention of international human rights bodies to the need for monitoring the situation concerning religious freedoms in Turkmenistan. Freedom of religion is not a political issue. It is a fundamental human right.