Turkmenistan’s Isolated Regime: Nepotism and Cronyism Rule Supreme

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Absolute Control: President Berdimuhamedov Wields Power Unchecked

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan - In one of the world’s most isolated and authoritarian states, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov holds absolute control over every aspect of public life. The country’s economy, legal system, and law enforcement agencies are all subservient to his will, with power passed on through nepotism rather than democratic processes.

Effective Implementation of International Treaties?

Despite having ratified several international treaties aimed at combating organized crime, Turkmenistan’s implementation is ineffective and selective, with priorities dictated solely by the president’s interests. The country’s borders remain porous, making it a hub for smuggling and trafficking.

A Subservient Judicial System

The judicial system is equally subservient to the executive branch, with judges appointed and dismissed at the president’s whim. Courts are unable to pass effective judgments against organized crime defendants or high-profile criminals, and torture and forced confessions are widespread in pre-trial detention centers.

Law Enforcement: A Tool for Quashing Dissent

Law enforcement agencies are similarly under the president’s control, with the national police and ministry of national security used primarily to quash dissent and political opposition rather than combat organized crime. The country’s borders are long and difficult to patrol, making it a major transit point for drugs and other illicit goods.

Economic Environment: Opaque and Corrupt

The economic environment is equally opaque, with the government lacking adequate mechanisms to ensure businesses operate free from criminal interference. Property rights are ineffective, and the wider economy offers few opportunities for legitimate businesses to expand. Corruption is rampant among business leaders and government officials, with the president’s patronage networks controlling the distribution of wealth and business opportunities.

Civil society and social protection initiatives are also severely restricted, with the government failing to implement laws aimed at protecting victims of human trafficking. Independent groups face significant obstacles in operating openly, with a burdensome registration system and heavy restrictions on press freedom making it difficult for organizations to operate or fundraise.

A Regime Unchallenged: The International Community’s Lack of Engagement

In this isolated and oppressive regime, President Berdimuhamedov’s grip on power remains unchallenged, with his family and close associates dominating the country’s economy and politics. The international community has been criticized for its lack of engagement with Turkmenistan, allowing the government to continue its authoritarian policies without significant pressure or accountability.

A Dark Future: Little Hope of Change

As a result, Turkmenistan remains one of the world’s most closed and repressive societies, with little hope of change in the near future.