ImpACT International | UN Special Rapporteur Urges Turkmenistan to Release Activist Murat Dushemov Amid Fabricated Charges

The case of Murat Dushemov, a Turkmen civil activist detained since 2021, has become a glaring example of ongoing political repression in Turkmenistan. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, has urgently called for his immediate release after new criminal charges were imposed just days before his anticipated freedom. These charges are widely believed to be fabricated in retaliation for Dushemov’s peaceful activism and his courageous exercise of freedom of expression in a country known for crushing dissent. In this analysis, we explore the circumstances around Dushemov’s detention, statements from key stakeholders, the broader human rights context in Turkmenistan, and the urgent need for international intervention.

The Case of Murat Dushemov: From Activism to Political Imprisonment

Murat Dushemov’s initial imprisonment in 2021 followed allegations of extortion and bodily harm—charges international observers and human rights organizations deem baseless and politically motivated. Dushemov publicly challenged the Turkmen government’s official denial of the COVID-19 pandemic and opposed mandatory mask and vaccination policies, actions that led to repeated harassment and his eventual sentencing.

Widely respected human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch have condemned the new criminal charges levied against Dushemov, which reportedly stem from an alleged altercation with fellow prisoners. Dushemov himself has adamantly denied these accusations, describing the incident as staged. He stated,

“the person who filed the complaint started hitting the wall, injuring himself, and smearing the wall with blood. They want to slander me again to prolong my stay here”.

This description highlights the extent of the authorities’ attempts to manufacture grounds for extending his detention unjustly.

Dushemov was expected to be released in June 2025 after completing a four-year sentence. Instead, in a troubling development, he was transferred to a pre-trial detention facility in Turkmenabat just days before his scheduled release. This maneuver has drawn strong condemnation from the international human rights community, emphasizing the case as an example of systematic repression.

Statements From Key Human Rights Advocates and Organizations

Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, actively spotlighted the case on social media, stating,

“I will closely monitor the trial of civil activist Murat Dushemov, who has been in prison since 2021 and is now facing new criminal charges in apparent retaliation for his peaceful activism and for exercising his freedom of expression in Turkmenistan. I call for his immediate release.”

This call for release was echoed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Regional Office for Central Asia, underscoring international concern.

Rachel Denber, deputy director for Europe and Central Asia at Human Rights Watch, urged Turkmen authorities to “immediately and unconditionally free the activist” and halt all attempts to use made-up allegations to extend his incarceration.

Further illustrating the climate surrounding Dushemov’s detention, his family has endured intimidation and harassment, including disruptions to their communication with Dushemov. Disturbingly, shortly after publicly appealing to Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdymukhamedov for justice, Dushemov’s brother faced interrogations concerning alimony payments, a tactic widely seen as intimidation. These actions expose a broader pattern of state repression aimed at not only the activist but also their families.

Other notable international human rights organizations such as the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, the Turkmen Human Rights Initiative, and the International Partnership for Human Rights have issued a joint statement condemning the new criminal charges as “clear retaliation for [Dushemov’s] activities”. They call on Turkmenistan’s international partners to pressure the government to stop persecuting civil society actors and to ensure human rights defenders are protected.

Political Repression and Human Rights Abuses in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is known for an exceptionally repressive political environment with minimal tolerance for free speech, independent activism, or dissent. The government routinely employs harsh tactics, including the fabrication of criminal charges, to detain activists without due process. Prison conditions remain dire, with documented abuses including torture, incommunicado detention, and neglect that has led to severe health issues such as tuberculosis among inmates.

Dushemov’s case is emblematic of this pattern. Despite the UN Human Rights Committee’s call for his release during its 2023 review of Turkmenistan’s human rights record, the government has not only ignored these appeals but has actively sought to prolong his imprisonment through spurious allegations. This continuing repression is part of a wider crackdown affecting journalists, activists, and any individuals voicing opposition or demanding transparency.

The Broader Significance and International Implications

The international community’s attention on Dushemov’s case reflects a broader concern about the erosion of basic freedoms in Turkmenistan. His detention under fabricated charges serves as a stark warning that peaceful activism carries severe risks in the country. The government’s punitive actions against Dushemov and his family underscore its determination to quell dissent through intimidation and judicial manipulation.

Mary Lawlor’s call to closely monitor the proceedings amplifies the urgency of the situation. The involvement of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and multiple watchdog organizations highlights the growing consensus that this case is not just a localized injustice but part of a systemic violation of rights.

International pressure is vital. Human rights defenders and organizations urge diplomatic partners of Turkmenistan to wield their influence to ensure Dushemov’s immediate and unconditional release. Such actions would not only save Dushemov but could also support the weakening of an entrenched system of repression that targets civil society at large.

The plight of Murat Dushemov is a powerful illustration of the severe human rights challenges in Turkmenistan. Charged with fabricated offenses, subjected to extended detention, and deprived of fair judicial treatment, Dushemov remains a prisoner of conscience whose case demands immediate global attention. As Mary Lawlor asserted, the activist’s rights to peaceful activism and freedom of expression must be respected, and his release should be unconditional and immediate.

For Turkmenistan, releasing Dushemov could signal a meaningful step toward greater respect for human rights and adherence to international legal obligations. For the international community, this case is a call to action to defend human rights defenders and challenge authoritarian repression wherever it emerges.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}