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Turkmenistan

Journalists of Radio Liberty (Azattyk Ynalgysy) work in the bureau in Bishkek on April 28, 2023. - A court in Russia-allied Kyrgyzstan on April 27, 2023 ordered the closure of the local branch of US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which criticised the "outrageous" ruling. Award-winning Radio Azattyk is a prominent outlet in the Central Asian country that regularly reports on opposition groups and investigates alleged corruption.
Journalists of Radio Liberty (Azattyk Ynalgysy) work in the bureau in Bishkek on April 28, 2023. - A court in Russia-allied Kyrgyzstan on April 27, 2023 ordered the closure of the local branch of US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which criticised the "outrageous" ruling. Award-winning Radio Azattyk is a prominent outlet in the Central Asian country that regularly reports on opposition groups and investigates alleged corruption. © VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP via Getty Images

Pressure Builds on Central Asia Media

Freedom of speech in Central Asia has deteriorated in recent years, with fresh restrictions on media and bloggers alike and a growing number of criminal cases initiated against journalists.

3 May 24
A delegation of Afghanistan's ministry of economic development checked the development of the Qosh Tepa, an irrigation canal, which will direct the water from the Amu Darya river to the country's arid northern region. The conduit however will reduce the supply for downstream Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, which rely heavily on the river.
A delegation of Afghanistan's ministry of economic development checked the development of the Qosh Tepa, an irrigation canal, which will direct the water from the Amu Darya river to the country's arid northern region. The conduit however will reduce the supply for downstream Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, which rely heavily on the river. © Afghanistan's deputy minister of economic development

Water Conflicts Loom in Central Asia

An ambitious infrastructure project in Afghanistan risks exacerbating scarcities in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

4 Aug 23
Turkmenistan's authorities have introduced severe restrictions on women's appearance, banning beauty practices like dyed hair, manicure and fake nails and eyelashes. Since April, women are also no longer allowed to sit in the front seat of taxis and male drivers are barred from offering rides to women who are not family members.
Turkmenistan's authorities have introduced severe restrictions on women's appearance, banning beauty practices like dyed hair, manicure and fake nails and eyelashes. Since April, women are also no longer allowed to sit in the front seat of taxis and male drivers are barred from offering rides to women who are not family members. © Igor Sasin/AFP via Getty Images

Turkmenistan: Car and Beauty Bans Further Erode Women’s Rights

Fresh prohibitions have crushed hopes that newly appointed 40-year-old president Serdar Berdymukhamedov would pursue a more enlightened path.

9 May 22
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