The Price of Silence: Meat Prices Are Rising in Turkmenistan, While Those Who Speak About It Are Being Silenced

The Price of Silence: Meat Prices Are Rising in Turkmenistan, While Those Who Speak About It Are Being Silenced While Turkmenistan's state media continues to promote narratives of "prosperity" and steady economic growth, the independent media outlet Azatlyk Radiosy has once again reported a sharp increase in food prices—particularly the price of meat, which is increasingly becoming a luxury for many families. According to Azatlyk's latest report, meat and meat products in Ahal Province have increased in price by 10–30 percent in recent days. Even in state-run stores, the price of meat has risen from 20 to 30 manats per kilogram. Conditions are even worse in private markets, where bone-in meat has increased from approximately 130 to 140 manats per kilogram, while boneless meat has risen from 140 to 170 manats per kilogram. Local residents told journalists that fewer and fewer people can afford to buy meat. Many families have been forced to replace it with cheaper products such as chicken, eggs, vegetables, and dairy products. Vendors also report a significant decline in customers and admit that selling meat has become increasingly unprofitable. Despite the worsening situation, the Turkmen authorities have offered no official explanation for the latest price increases. As usual, state-controlled media avoids reporting on the issue, even though the cost of basic food directly affects the quality of life of millions of citizens. The Price of Speaking the Truth However, the problem in Turkmenistan extends far beyond rising prices. Even more alarming is the fact that speaking openly about these problems has become increasingly dangerous. There is already a tragic example of what can happen to someone who dares to publicly raise concerns about the soaring cost of living. In November 2025, Turkmen blogger Didar, known online as "Hitrowskin," published a video criticizing the dramatic increase in meat prices and the declining standard of living. He voiced the concerns shared by thousands of ordinary citizens but rarely expressed publicly due to fear of repression. Shortly after publishing the video, the blogger disappeared. Later, Azatlyk Radiosy conducted its own journalistic investigation. The outlet reported that its journalists located Didar's grave. However, the circumstances surrounding his death have never been independently or transparently investigated, and the public has never received credible explanations from the authorities. In the same report, Azatlyk documented an ongoing campaign of intimidation against social media users. According to eyewitness accounts, citizens have been summoned for questioning, their mobile phones searched, and they have been warned not to post critical comments or cooperate with independent media outlets. Particularly disturbing are testimonies indicating that, according to witnesses, Didar's fate has been used as a warning to intimidate others. Such practices create an atmosphere of fear in which people become afraid to speak even about the most basic social and economic problems. Why Independent Media Matters Without independent journalism, the world might never have learned about the rising food prices, Didar's disappearance, or the growing pressure being placed on ordinary citizens in Turkmenistan. Independent media gives a voice to those whom the authorities seek to silence. Journalists document facts, preserve evidence, conduct investigations, and bring information to the attention of the international community. A free press is not a threat to the state—it is one of the fundamental safeguards of society. The Importance of Civic Solidarity Authoritarian regimes seek to isolate people. An individual standing alone is easier to intimidate, silence, or persecute. That is precisely why solidarity matters. When citizens support one another, when journalists continue investigating, when human rights defenders document abuses, when international organizations demand accountability, and when society refuses to forget those who have suffered for speaking the truth, it becomes far more difficult for the authorities to act with impunity. Civic solidarity begins with simple but powerful actions: refusing to ignore another person's suffering, speaking openly about human rights violations, supporting independent journalism, sharing verified information, and demanding justice. Didar's story is not merely the tragedy of one blogger. It is a reminder of the high price that people in Turkmenistan may pay for telling the truth under an authoritarian regime. At the same time, it is also a reminder that silence has never protected society. Together We Are Stronger Rising food prices affect every resident of Turkmenistan. The right to speak openly about these issues should belong to everyone. The more people support one another, the more difficult it becomes to silence them one by one. That is why independent media, civil society activists, human rights defenders, and concerned citizens are all essential parts of the same movement to protect human rights. Only by standing together, supporting one another, and refusing to allow the truth to disappear can meaningful change become possible. History has repeatedly shown that authoritarian regimes rely on fear and silence. Civil society, by contrast, derives its strength from solidarity, mutual support, and the collective determination to defend every person's right to speak the truth.