(RFE/RL)
October 25, 2006 -- Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov today promised that his countrymen would continue receiving free gas, electricity, water, and salt until 2030.
Niyazov made the pledge at the opening of the 17th session of the 2,600-member Halk Maslahaty, or People's Council, Turkmenistan's supreme legislative body.
Turkmen citizens have been granted free access to utilities since 1992, but shortages are reported to be frequent.
(Interfax)
Human Rights In Turkmenistan
Human Rights In Turkmenistan
LIFE UNDER NIYAZOV: On July 21, RFE/RL's Prague broadcasting center hosted a presentation by TAJIGUL BEGMEDOVA, chairwoman of the Bulgaria-based Turkmenistan Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (THF). Begmedova discussed the human rights situation in Turkmenistan under President Saparmural Niyazov, focusing on the arrests in June of THF activists and RFE/RL Turkmen Service correspondent Ogulsapar Muradova. Begmedova, who graduated from the Institute of Economy in Moscow in 1987, fled Turkmenistan in 2002 and lives in exile in Sofia.
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Listen to the complete presentation (36 minutes; presentation in Russian with consecutive translation into English):Some RFE/RL Coverage Of Human Rights In Turkmenistan:
Media Coverage Of Leader Distracts From Real Problems
Authorities Cast Wide Net In Conspiracy Allegations
Embattled Turkmen Writer Honored Abroad
RFE/RL Correspondent Recounts Arrest
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RFE/RL coverage of Turkmenistan.
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