Turkmenistan, Asia

Although it is wealthy in natural resources in certain areas, most of Turkmenistan is covered by the Karakum (Black Sands) Desert. It has a single-party system, and was ruled by President for Life Saparmurat Niyazov until 21 December 2006, when he died. He became notorious in the West for his dictatorial rule and extravagant cult of personality. Presidential elections were held on 11 February 2007. Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow was declared the winner with 89% of the vote. Human rights are generally not respected by many authorities in Turkmenistan, although some human rights are guaranteed in the Constitution of Turkmenistan, such as social equality, sex equality, freedom from cruel and unusual punishment, and freedom of movement. Turkmenistan has the third-worst restrictions on the freedom of the press in the world. In addition the new president enforced a ban on satellite dishes. Beards and long hair are also banned.
Male homosexuality is illegal in Turkmenistan. Punishment ranges from a fine to 2 years in prison.

 

 

Gay man forced to flee Turkmenistan after police assaulted him for being HIV-positive

The man sought asylum in Europe after police allegedly assaulted him until he confessed to being gay A gay man from Turkmenistan was forced to flee his home country after he was arrested and assaulted for being HIV-positive. Speaking to RadioFreeEurope, the 23-year-old was granted asylum in a European country after he was targeted for… Read more »

Gay Student From Turkmenistan Finds Refuge Abroad But Faces Criminal Charges At Home

Maksat’s sexual orientation as a gay man has cost him the chance of having a family and living in his home country, Turkmenistan, where homosexuality is a criminal offense and a strict social taboo. Beaten and blackmailed by police, the 23-year-old from Ashgabat recently received asylum in a European country, but he says the ordeals… Read more »

Interview: Lack Of Data On Gay Men Impedes HIV Fight In Central Asia

In recent years, the countries of Central Asia have experienced some of the fastest growing rates of HIV infection in the world. One of the key populations at risk is men who have sex with men (MSM).owever, an acute lack of data on the health of that population — due in large part to intense… Read more »

Homosexuality in Turkmenistan

Summary Officially nonexistent and a taboo topic,  Turkmenistan’s gay population is finding partners with greater frequency. Men will first meet in public places and  then clandestinely continue seeing each other, although the  shame and social stigma attached to being gay leads to frequent self denial. Some see gay sex as subversive  resistance to a strict,… Read more »

Gay Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan News & Reports 2011

Gay Middle East Web Site More information about Islam & Homosexuality al-fatiha-news Middle East Youth These Everyday Humiliations: Violence Against Lesbians, Bisexual Women, and Transgender Men Gay Islam discussion groups: Muslim Gay Men     LGBT muslim Queer Jihad           Bi-muslims Trans-muslims       Lesbian muslims 1 Gay Activists in Central Asia Train Professional Defenders 4/11 2 New Gender Marker… Read more »

Lesbian From Turkmenistan Wins Asylum In US

New York City – A lesbian from the former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan has been granted asylum in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security. The woman, whose name is being withheld because of fears of reprisal by the Turkmenistan government against family members still in the country, had entered the country on… Read more »