Current News from the Turkmenistan Project
February 2, 2007
The following information is from the Turkmenistan Project from Eurasianet and lays out the results of the trial:
“One of the first litmus tests of the new leadership’s attitude toward
grassroots reform – the trial of environmentalist Andrei Zatoka –
yielded results that were mixed and virtually identical to those from
similar cases prosecuted under Niyazov. Zatoka’s arrest on December 17,
2006, provided the first major political trial since Niyazov’s death.
In a trial on January 31 likely hastened by international outcry,
Zatoka was convicted and handed a suspended sentence of 3 years and released
on parole, but must check in with the police once a month and may not
leave Turkmenistan except with government permission. The case suggested
that, in these still-early days of the post-Niyazov era, the interim
authorities will continue to be able to influence law-enforcement and the
judiciary to achieve political ends, and, like Niyazov, will offer some
concessions to international outcry over human rights abuses, but will
not tolerate grassroots reform efforts at home.”
Letter from Zheina Zatoka
February 2, 2007
Here is an Letter from Zheina Zatoka- as given to Kate Watters from Crude Accountability
Dear Friends,
I know that not all of you can understand the Russian below, or in the
link, but this is a thank you letter from Zhenia Zatoka, Andrey’s wife,
and it goes out to all those who worked for Andrey’s release.
Below she says: thank you to everyone who helped to free Andrey!
Dear Friends! We won! Andrey is free!
The link below takes you to a website with her photograph and a longer
letter.
She specifically thanks everyone who stood in front of the embassy in
the picket, as well as those who wrote letters and demanded Andrey’s
freedom in other ways.
In a paragraph specifically directed toward her American friends
(you!),
she says: I understand now that our world is small, and that not one
person on the planet is lost. I thank you all for your help!
At the end of her letter she says, “There is one more important thing:
we have come to understand that borders and distance do not separate
us. We are together! We are a large community of environmentalists,
civil society activists, friends. An international socio-ecological
union.”
Happy weekend to everyone, and thanks again for all you have done! Its
nice, once in a while, to be part of something that makes a difference,
isn’t it?
Warmest wishes,
Kate
Andrei Zatoka is Free!!!!
January 31, 2007
Andrei Zatoka is no longer in jail in Turkmenistan. He is back at is home in Dashoguz. Thanks to everyone who wrote and helped with his release! This could have never happened without all the letters that were sent!
Thanks so much to everyone who helped!
Here are some links with information on the story:
From Eurasianet
From Crude Accountability
From Reuters
International Committee in Defense of Andrey Zatoka Is Created
January 28, 2007
Check it out here
Congressman Chris Smith’s Appeal to Acting Turkmenistan President
January 28, 2007
Rep. Smith Appeals to Acting Turkmen President
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter released this week, U.S. Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) urged Turkmenistan’s Acting President to carry-out his promises of educational and information reforms and called for a free and fair election in the former Soviet-Bloc nation.
“I hope President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov will chart a new path for his country, as the Niyazov regime represented one of the most repressive governments in the world,” said Smith. “Ensuring that the upcoming presidential election meets OSCE standards will give the new government much-needed legitimacy.”
In the letter, Rep. Smith notes the Acting President—who was appointed by Turkmenistan’s National Council after the country’s dictatorial first President, Saparmurat Niyazov, died on December 21—has an “historic opportunity” to take the country “in a new direction” and offers to assist with the transition to democratic governance. The letter also calls for the release of opposition leader Nurberdy Nurmammedov, who was arrested on December 23, and expresses concern about the short pre-election period and the lack of multi-party competition.
“During the 109th Congress, I introduced a resolution on Turkmenistan (H.Con.Res. 486) that highlighted the many human rights abuses of the Niyazov regime and called for serious reforms,” said Rep. Smith. “With the start of a new Congress, I will be watching the conduct of the new government and deciding whether a new resolution is warranted.”
Rep. Smith’s letter concludes that “during President Niyazov’s era, the United States Congress and Turkmenistan had a troubled relationship.” Acting President Berdymukhammedov is urged “to begin a new chapter for Turkmenistan and ensure that the upcoming election meets all of Turkmenistan’s international commitments.”
TEXT OF LETTER
January 11, 2007
His Excellency Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov
Acting President
Republic of Turkmenistan
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Dear President Berdymukhammedov:
Over the past dozen years, as I have led the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (“Helsinki Commission”) of the U.S. Congress, I wrote President Niyazov on numerous occasions, raising a variety of human rights concerns. Under his authoritarian rule, unfortunately, Turkmenistan failed to progress toward democracy and remained isolated from the international community.
As Acting President, you now have an historic opportunity to take your homeland in a new direction. Your speech last week outlining initial educational and information reforms could be interpreted as a positive step. Without a doubt the people of Turkmenistan, hopeful for greater freedoms, welcomed your pledge to develop democratic institutions.
Nonetheless, I am very concerned by some recent actions of your interim government. Especially alarming is the disappearance of Nurberdy Nurmammedov of the Agzybirlik People’s Democratic Movement on December 23. Reportedly, he was arrested when leaving his home after giving an interview to Radio Liberty. I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Nurmammedov, as well as the individuals on the attached list.
Certainly you would agree that a key initial step toward democracy would be to hold a free and fair presidential election. It is vital for the legitimacy of Turkmenistan’s next president that the election meet OSCE standards. While new election procedures have been adopted, I am also concerned by the very short pre-election period and the lack of real multi-party competition. I therefore respectfully urge you to consider delaying the election and to implement the OSCE’s forthcoming recommendations to help ensure a fair contest. The 15-year residency requirement for presidential candidates should also be lifted, and peaceful political parties should be allowed to form and put forth candidates in the election.
During President Niyazov’s era, the U.S. Congress and Turkmenistan had a troubled relationship. Members of Congress and the international community will therefore watch closely the conduct of your interim government over the next weeks. I respectfully urge you to begin a new chapter for Turkmenistan and ensure that the upcoming election meets all of Turkmenistan’s international commitments. I would welcome the opportunity to strengthen our relations with the new Government of Turkmenistan and to assist with its transition to what I hope will be a bright, democratic future.
Sincerely,
Christopher H. Smith, M.C.
Requested actions by the interim Turkmen Government
Immediately and unconditionally release Nurberdy Nurmammedov, as well as Sapardurdy Khajiev, Annakurba Amanklychev, Mukhametkuli Aimuradov, Geldy Kiarisov, Nasrullah ibn Ibadullah, and Andrey Zatoka.
Provide unfettered access for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to Batyr Berdyev and Boris Shikhmuradov and other accused of involvement with the November 2002 assassination attempt, in compliance with its mandate.
Vigil For Andrei in Washington, D.C
January 28, 2007
There was a vigil/protest in Washington, D.C. in front of the Turkmenistan Embassy. About twenty people attended according to one participant. There was no response from the Turkmenistan Embassy, besides one man looking out the window.
The protest was organized by Crude Accountability. There may be more protest to come.
Update from the US Embassy in Ashgabat
January 22, 2007
I contacted the US Embassy at 9 am this morning (Turkmen time) and received the following information:
- They do not know if a trial has or is taking place for Andrei Zatoka.
- They believe that the trial is a rumor and has or is not occuring.
- They believe that the Turkmen government is still investigating Andrei’s case.
- The Turkmen government has not admitted to charging Andrei.
- Finally they consider Andrei to be under “very serious circumstances” and Andrei is at the top of the human rights concerns in Turkmenistan.
Amnesty USA’s easy way to help Andrei
January 20, 2007
Amnesty has set up an easy way to help Andrei Zatoka
Russia taking action on Andrei
January 20, 2007
It appears that Russia is taking some actions for Andrei.
Here are some articles:
President Putin Informed about Arrest of Russian Environmental Activist in Turkmenistan
Original title: Putin is Informed of the Fates of Russian Turkmen Nationals
Source: Vremya Novostei, by Arkady Dubnov, in Russian / 01.16.07 / Synopsis prepared by OSI Turkmenistan Project.
Full version: http://www.vremya.ru/2007/5/5/169388.html - sorry this is in Russian
Synopsis: According to the independent Russian newspaper Vremya Novostei, Russian president Vladimir Putin met with members of the Council for the Development of Institutes of Civil Society and Human Rights on January 15, where, among other issues raised was the fate of Russians living in the near abroad, and in particular, of the arrest of environmental activist Andrei Zatoka in Turkmenistan. Zatoka’s fate will be brought up through diplomatic channels, Vremya Novostei reported.
Check out this article too from Radio Free Europe
Check out this article by Ferghana Information Agency
