In its new 2025 report on the state of human rights and democracy in the world, the European Union once again characterized the situation in Turkmenistan as persistently difficult, Hronikatm.com reports.
The country received only 1 out of 100 points in the Freedom House rating, maintaining its "not free" status. The EU notes restrictions on freedom of movement, problems issuing passports to citizens abroad, criminal prosecution for consensual same-sex relations, reports of torture, and poor prison conditions.
At the same time, it notes Ashgabat's cooperation with the International Labour Organization to eradicate forced labor, as well as the preparation of national action plans on human rights and gender equality for 2026–2030.
It's worth noting that, according to Freedom House's ranking, all Central Asian countries remained ranked as "not free":
- Kazakhstan - 23 out of 100
- Kyrgyzstan - 26 out of 100
- Uzbekistan - 12 out of 100
- Tajikistan - 5 out of 100
- Turkmenistan - 1 out of 100.
The EU report paints a contradictory picture of the interaction between Brussels and Ashgabat. On the one hand, European institutions maintain a critical approach to systemic restrictions on political and civil liberties. On the other hand, the EU is committed to dialogue, recognizing Turkmenistan's strategic importance for Central Asia, energy, and transport links between Europe and the region.
It is significant that European policy combines diplomatic pressure with practical social projects. Visits by high-ranking EU representatives, official appeals on individual cases of human rights violations, and recommendations from international organizations are complemented by funding for initiatives for women, children, and people with disabilities.
This approach allows Brussels to maintain channels of communication with the Turkmen authorities while simultaneously supporting social change.
However, the lack of a roadmap for implementing UN recommendations and Ashgabat's low level of engagement with multilateral human rights institutions indicate the slow pace of reform.
Therefore, in the near future, the EU will likely continue its policy of gradual engagement, combining critical dialogue with economic and humanitarian cooperation.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
August 14, 2026