Turkmenistan Local Politics - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 61 - 66 of 94

Uncategorized

Only Turkmen Graduates Allowed to Participate in “Last Call”

In Balkan velayat (administrative district) this year, only graduates of Turkmen nationality will be able to participate in the "last call" - the secondary-school graduation ceremony held throughout the CIS, which is held annually in front of the Central Library of Balkanabad. This decision by the local authorities caused bewilderment among the residents of the velayat, where representatives of many nationalities live. This is the second known case in the last four months when the authorities of the western velayat have infringed on the rights of ethnic minorities. In early February, it was reported that in Balkanabad and Turkmenbashi, only Turkmen music was allowed at weddings, whilst songs in the languages of other ethnicities were prohibited. Violations of the rights of ethnic minorities, limiting their opportunities for education in their native language, and observance of cultural traditions is a long-standing problem. Turkmenistan says it "condemns racial discrimination and constantly pursues a policy of mutual understanding between peoples." However, members of minorities complain of systematic restrictions of their rights on ethnic grounds.

Uncategorized

Turkmenistan Bans People From Talking About the Weather

For almost ten days Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat has been flooded with rain, in what local meteorologists think have been the worst downpours since the 1970s. The rain has caused significant damage to the city's infrastructure. The Akhal province has also been badly affected, with agricultural land flooded. Mudflows hit the cities of Anev and Kahka, and in many areas electricity and part of the rail network were shut down. However, there have been no reports in Turkmen media about the rains and the damage they are causing. Turkmenistan's law enforcement agencies have taken unprecedented measures to prevent photos and videos of the downpours from appearing on social networks. According to Radio Azatlyk, internet speed has slowed down, working VPNs are blocked, and IMO messenger has almost stopped working. A Turkmenabad police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said of the order from above: "We have been ordered to prevent the leakage of defamatory photos and videos abroad. It was explained to us that if defamatory information gets into the hands of the West or the U.S. State Department, this information can be used to destabilize the domestic situation." The situation is the same in Ashgabat. Security services are identifying and taking to police stations citizens who have shared photos and videos on social media of the rains, and the damage caused by the rains in Ashgabat and the provinces. "In Ashgabat, cars could not move along the streets, people were swept away by the water pressure, and some of them were badly hurt. In the suburbs, houses and farms were flooded, farmers may be left without any income. There are many casualties, but there are no fatalities among the residents. Now the situation is gradually normalizing, and the authorities are eliminating the consequences of the flooding," one Ashgabat resident told The Times of Central Asia.

Uncategorized

Electronic Information Exchange Systems to Be Introduced in Turkmenistan’s Agencies

The Türkmenaragatnaşyk Agency and UNDP (United Nations Development Program) have signed an agreement to assist the introduction of an inter-agency electronic information exchange system in Turkmenistan in accordance with the decree of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as reported by Arzuw.news. "The document provides for the connection of Turkmenistan's agencies to the systems of electronic information exchange and electronic document management, as well as training of specialized staff in this area, taking into account international experience," the report states. The President of Turkmenistan stressed that the country is currently actively working on digitization in various spheres of life in the state. At the meeting of the Government of Turkmenistan, Director General of the Agency of Transport and Communications, Mammetkhan Chakyev presented for consideration projects on introduction of electronic information exchange systems in the country's agencies.

Uncategorized

Turkmenistan Plans to Create Powerful Bio-industry Sector

Turkmenistan intends to create a powerful bio-industry sector in all areas of biotechnology, Turkmenportal reports. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a decree approving the State Program for comprehensive development of biotechnology in Turkmenistan for 2024-2028. Under the program, it is planned to implement priority innovation and investment projects, and widely deploy production in all sectors of bio-industry - from bio-pharmaceuticals to bio-chips. "The country's Academy of Sciences is already conducting topical developments in dozens of areas. In bio-pharmaceuticals, the medicinal properties of local plants are being studied. In food biotechnology, the production of fortified foods and drinks is underway. Agricultural biotechnology is being developed to increase crop yields. Scientists are working on biosensors and bio-chips for personalized medicine, bio-fuels and biodegradable materials. Microorganisms for soil bio-remediation are being studied. Turkmen know-how in the field of biotechnology is already attracting scientific interest in the world," the outlet said. The Presidential Decree also provides for a plan of measures to implement the State Program, which will be implemented by the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, relevant ministries and departments. The main purpose of the new document is to integrate science into the development of different sectors of the economy, stimulate the production of environmentally-friendly, energy-saving, import-substituting and export-oriented goods, and the formation of a competitive national bio-industry in the future.

Uncategorized

Central Asian Countries Allocate Various Sums to WWII Veterans

According to the news publication Centralasia.media, countries in the region will be awarding funds to veterans, survivors, and those affected by World War II in honor of Victory Day (May 9). The payments will range from $10 to $6,825. The government of Turkmenistan allocated the smallest amount for gifts to veterans. On behalf of the President of the Republic, 200 manat ($57 at the state exchange rate or $10 at the black-market exchange rate) will be given to the participants in the war. It's not clear how many people will receive the payments. According to the report, Kazakhstan’s one-time payment to soldiers who served at the front is 1.5 million tenge ($3,412). A total of 3 billion tenge (more than $ 6.8 million) has been allocated from the country's budget for the so-called bonuses for veterans. This money will be distributed to more than 50,000 people who are related to the Great Patriotic War in one way or another. Among them are front-line workers, residents of besieged Leningrad, and the widows of soldiers. There are 148 veterans of WWII front-line combat in Kazakhstan. Those veterans can also expect payments, the amount of which will be determined by local authorities. However, it has been confirmed that a total of 3 million tenge ($6,825) was allocated to six veterans from Kazakhstan's Akmola region on the occasion of the May 9 holiday. In Tajikistan, 24 front-line combat veterans will receive 40,000 somoni ($,3662) as part of the national campaign recognizing contributions to the Great Patriotic War. In Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, 100,000 som ($1,113) will be allocated from the fund of the President of the Republic to each participant in the conflict before May 9. According to the press service of the President of Uzbekistan, a one-time monetary award of 20 million som ($1, 578) will be given to every participant and disabled person affected by World War II. On May 9, Uzbekistan marks the Day of Memory and Honor, and the 79th anniversary of the victory in World War II. On May 8, President Mirziyoyev attended a memorial ceremony and laid a wreath at the Ode to Fortitude monument in Tashkent’s Victory Park. In a statement, Mirziyoyev congratulated veterans and the entire people of Uzbekistan on “the glorious holiday of May 9 - the Day of Memory and Honor and the 79th anniversary of the Great Victory in World War II. Today, commemoration events are being held in all our cities and villages, where we again remember how much grief and incalculable losses the cruel war brought to our people,” the president said. During the Second World War, almost two million soldiers were mobilized from Uzbekistan to the front. More than 538,000 died, more than 158,000 went missing, and 870,000 were injured, with 60,000 returning from the front disabled. Over 170 plants and factories were relocated to Uzbekistan from western regions of the Soviet Union occupied by the Nazi Germany. “Our people sent a huge amount of military equipment, weapons, medicine, clothing, and food...

Uncategorized

Citizens of Turkmenistan Being Prevented From Flying Abroad

Cases of citizens of Turkmenistan flying abroad being prevented from boarding the plane just before departure are becoming more frequent. This is according to a report by Azatlyk Radiosy, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's affiliate in Turkmenistan. Those who managed to leave say that they were interviewed by officials at the airport, and forced to pledge not to talk about the problems inside Turkmenistan, but rather to praise the country. According to the publication, Turkmen citizens have faced various difficulties when traveling abroad for several years. It now takes as long as two years to receive a biometric passport, which is only issued inside the country. Obtaining a foreign visa and purchasing tickets also involves unnecessary bureaucratic hassle. Among Turkmen citizens having difficulties leaving their home country are many who had been forced to return home when their passports expired -- and are now planning to leave again. "According to government instructions, security officers don't let such citizens out of the country. Border guards create various problems for citizens at the airport, do not let them on the plane and force them to return," said someone who themselves had been prevented from leaving Turkmenistan. Citizens are not being reimbursed for all of the associated costs of their planned -- and then canceled -- trips abroad. Noted Radio Azatlyk in its report: "Cases of passengers leaving Turkmenistan, including migrant workers and citizens going to study abroad, being taken off flights have happened before. Representatives of the migration service have never officially commented on the situation. But the bans were reported anonymously at various times by sources in the migration service. In 2018, young women were banned from leaving the country, and then all citizens under the age of 40 were removed from flights en masse. When introducing and removing such bans, instructions are given verbally."