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
Protest In Washington, D.C. and Letter From Zatoka’s Family
January 16, 2007
There will be a protest in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Janurary 24th from 6:00pm to 7:30pm in front of the Turkmenistan Embassy the address for the embassy is:
2207 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008 .
Here is a letter that I received from the family of Andrei Zatoka, calling on the US to help take action to free Andrei!
January 12, 2007
Dear Madam Secretary Rice:
On December 17, 2006, Andrei Lvovich Zatoka, our father and husband, was arrested in Turkmenistan at the Dashoguz city airport. Andrei Zatoka is famous in Turkmenistan and Central Asia as an environmental activist. He established the civic organization Dashoguz Ecology Club, which for 11 years was the strongest NGO in Turkmenistan before the authorities shut it down by court order in 2004. In Turkmenistan Andrei Zatoka initiated many successful projects aimed at the formation and development of the civic sector, and involving youth and adults in environmental protection activities. His personal example, and his enthusiasm and belief in the power of NGOs, inspired dozens of people to work with civic organizations. The Dashoguz Ecology Club implemented many projects with the support of grants from the US Embassy in Turkmenistan, ISAR, the Eurasia Foundation, the Soros Foundation, and others. Andrei has been active since the very beginning of the civic movement in Turkmenistan (Andrei stood at its very foundation), he was a member of the “Seeds of Democracy” program in Central Asia, and is co-chairman of the International Socio-Ecological Union.
Andrei Zatoka was born in Russia and holds dual Russian-Turkmen citizenship, but his heart belongs to Turkmenistan. He is sincerely concerned about the environment in Turkmenistan, about the education and involvement of its citizens, and about the future of the country. During numerous meetings with representatives of USAID, the American Embassy, and Counterpart Consortium, he often expressed his ideas about improving grant programs in Turkmenistan and about consolidating the role of civic organizations in the country.
Soon it will have been a month since Andrei was arrested. Unfortunately, his family is in Russia now: his children are studying at a university, and his wife is working in Beslan (North Ossetia) with a UNICEF-funded project, “Let Your Heart Touch a Heart,” for the rehabilitation of victims of the terrorist acts . Consequently, we know little about Andrei’s health and the course of the investigation. We cannot return to Turkmenistan because it is unsafe for us there following Andrei’s detainment.
First Andrei was detained for 5 days “for petty hooliganism”, and then the term of his detention was extended to 15 days without any official charges. According to information we received from an eyewitness, on December 30 our apartment was searched. Those who performed the search seized our computers and found snake poison and some weapons.
Andrei is charged with two criminal violations: Article 287 of the Criminal Code of Turkmenistan – illegal acquisition, sale, storage, transportation, delivery or possession of weapons, ammunition, explosive substances or devices, and Article 302 – illegal transactions with strong or poisonous substances.
It should be noted that the defense attorney, even though hired by the state, is apparently also being pressured by the Prosecutor’s office, thereby preventing the attorney and the family from being fully informed about Andrey Zatoka’s fate.
We think that these charges are a fabrication to place the environmental activist under arrest. Andrei kept a small amount of snake poison in the apartment because of his scientific profession; he is a herpetologist and uses poison to develop immunity against the poisonous snakes he works with. The weapon was only an air-rifle bought many years ago, and it does not require special permission. The actual reasons for Andrei’s detention are his activist attitude and his continuous activities aimed at strengthening civil society in Turkmenistan, as well as the authorities’ fear of brave, educated people.
It has been reported that at the time of his arrest Andrei managed to tell his acquaintance in Dashoguz that he preferred to serve his five-day term of administrative arrest quietly and not to create a scandal at the international level. But since Andrei was charged with violating Turkmenistan’s Criminal Code the situation has changed dramatically. As his closest relatives, we have decided to request the international community to intervene in his case immediately.
We appeal to the US State Department to help us protect a public activist and a former grantee, Andrei Zatoka. For example, we request that American diplomats come to Dashoguz and request a meeting with Andrei, the Prosecutor, investigators and his attorney in order to receive accurate information about his whereabouts and health, as well as assurances that law-enforcement officials are not mistreating him, as that is standard in Turkmenistan, and that his right to a due process and other basic human rights are observed. American diplomats could also encourage Russian counterparts in the capital, Ashgabat, to express similar interest in their compatriot, as their diplomatic duties require.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent appeal.
Wife – Evgenia Zatoka
Children – Ekaterina Zatoka and Ivan Zatoka
Vigil For Andrei in Moscow
January 12, 2007
Here is an article I received from Interfax, from Moscow.
Activists Begin Vigil For Jailed Turkmen
(Interfax) – Russian environmental and human rights activists have declared the beginning of a vigil they vow to continue until Andrei Zatoka, an
environmental and public activist arrested in December, is released. “In order to achieve the release of Andrei Zatoka, an open-ended Vigil of Concern has been declared.
Environmental activists, human rights activists, members of democratic organizations will daily send demands for Zatoka’s immediate release to the Turkmen authorities, the UN Human Rights Commission and other organizations,” says a statement published on a Russian human rights website.
Ecologist Andrei Zatoka, 50, was arrested in Turkmenistan on December 17, Human Rights Watch said earlier. At the moment of his arrest, Zatoka, who holds Russian and Turkmen passports, planned to leave for in order to meet with members of the Social Ecological Union International, human rights activists say.
Zatoka was charged with illegal possession of weapons and poisons. The human rights statement countered that “Zatoka is a herpetologist and because of his occupation he had the legal right to store the poison of the animals he studied and light pneumatic weapons.”
“Currently the place of his detention is unknown, and the authorities refuse to allow his close friends to contact him,” human rights activists say.
So far Interfax has no official commentary from the Turkmen authorities.
[Description of Source: Moscow Interfax in English --
Nonofficial information agency known for its extensive
and detailed reporting on domestic and international
issues]
Protest Planned for Andrei
January 10, 2007
There are plans for a protest in Washington, D.C and possibly Moscow near the Turkmenistan Embassies. Crude Accountability is organizing the protest. I will write more as soon as I get more information.
The Release of Farid Tukhabutllin
January 10, 2007
Many of the same organizations that are fighting for the release of Andrei Zatoka also successfully fought the release of Farid Tukhabutllin. Both men were co-chairmen of the Dashoguz Ecologly Club in Turkmenistan and are members of the Socio Ecological Union.
Check out the Save Farid Tukhbatullin Page form the Socio Ecological Union
