Turkmenistan Promotes the Trans-Caspian Route in New York as Dayanç Calls on the United States to Address Systematic Human Rights Violations

Turkmenistan Promotes the Trans-Caspian Route in New York as Dayanç Calls on the United States to Address Systematic Human Rights Violations Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Essen Aydogdyev, participated in the New York event “Prosperity Through Peace: Investing in the Trans-Caspian Trade Route and TRIPP,” focused on developing transport and trade links, attracting private investment, and expanding economic cooperation. Turkmenistan seeks to present itself to international partners as an important transport link connecting Central Asia and the Caspian region with global markets. However, discussions about investment and new transport corridors should not be separated from the human rights situation and the socioeconomic conditions faced by the country’s population. The Dayanç Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement calls on the U.S. side to take into account systematic human rights violations in Turkmenistan when developing economic, transport, and investment cooperation with the country. Particular attention should be paid to transnational repression. Dayanç specifically draws attention to the cases of ALISHER SAHATOV and ABDULLA ORUSOV, who were detained in Türkiye in April 2025, as well as the case of Maral Annayeva. These cases raise serious concerns regarding the safety of Turkmen citizens outside the country and respect for the principle of non-refoulement where individuals may face a risk of persecution. Another serious issue is violence against women and the lack of effective protection for survivors. Dayanç continues to raise the cases of Jeren Altyyeva and Ogulnur Pelvanova, including concerns regarding their safety and access to effective legal protection. A further systemic problem is the restriction of freedom of movement and the right to family reunification. Cases documented by Dayanç include those of Sergey Sazonov, Lachyn Gench, the Minmuratov family, and other citizens who report being subjected to travel bans. This problem is compounded by refusals to issue or renew passports for Turkmen citizens living abroad, which can place individuals in an extremely vulnerable legal position. DAYANÇ INSISTS ON THE REPEAL OF ARTICLE 30(9) OF TURKMENISTAN’S LAW ON MIGRATION. Dayanç considers the use of this provision to impose arbitrary restrictions on departure from the country to be incompatible with Turkmenistan’s international obligations. Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) guarantees everyone the right to leave any country, including their own, and permits restrictions only under narrowly defined conditions. International Investment and the Economic Reality Inside the Country Turkmenistan is offering the United States and other international partners transport routes, investment projects, and expanded economic cooperation. Yet presentations of major international projects should not obscure the realities faced by ordinary citizens. Against the backdrop of serious economic difficulties, reports continue of forced labor and poor working conditions. Wages in Turkmenistan are grossly disproportionate to the actual cost of food, essential goods, and citizens’ everyday living expenses. This is not merely an issue affecting isolated low-income groups; it reflects a systemic gap between official incomes and the real cost of living. Another major concern is the dual exchange-rate system — the official U.S. dollar exchange rate and the substantially different unofficial rate — which affects the real purchasing power of wages and the cost of goods. Investment should therefore be measured not only by the number of new transport routes, agreements, and international meetings. Economic development should translate into decent wages, safe working conditions, freedom from forced labor, adequate social protection, and tangible improvements in people’s living standards. There is also a noteworthy aspect of the new ambassador’s background. Turkmen.news previously published an investigation into Essen Aydogdyev and, citing U.S. property records, reported that Aydogdyev and Anjelika Klochkova purchased property in Fort Lee, New Jersey, for $242,500 in 2004. Property ownership in itself is not evidence of any wrongdoing, but the information provides additional context regarding the background of the diplomat who now represents Turkmenistan’s economic interests before U.S. partners. Dayanç calls on the U.S. side, while developing cooperation with Turkmenistan, to raise not only transport and investment issues but also the specific cases of ALISHER SAHATOV and ABDULLA ORUSOV, as well as transnational repression, travel bans, passport restrictions, violence against women, forced labor, and the socioeconomic rights of the population. Transport routes can connect countries, and investment can connect economies. But human rights, decent work, and a dignified life for the people of Turkmenistan must not be left outside these routes.