Chatham House, International Partnership for Human Rights and the Open Society European Policy Institute are delighted to invite you to the presentation of a new research paper by Annette Bohr “Turkmenistan: Power, Politics and Petro-Authoritarianism.”
The event is hosted by the Members of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala and Ana Gomes
Date and time: Wednesday 16th March 2016, 08.30 – 10.00 (Breakfast will be served from 08.15)
Place: European Parliament, PHS 1C51
Topics of discussion
The new Chatham House research paper comes amid the renewed consideration of the EU-Turkmenistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) by the European Parliament. The ratification of the PCA between the EU and Turkmenistan has been stalled at the European Parliament for nearly 15 years due to abysmal human rights record of the country. The European Parliament set out specific human rights benchmarks that the Turkmen government would need to meet before the PCA could move ahead.
Turkmenistan ranks among one of the most closed and repressive regimes in the world. The authorities fully control the country’s vast hydrocarbon reserves, using energy revenues to consolidate their rule by sponsoring security services and patronage networks. Annette Bohr will outline Turkmenistan’s domestic and foreign policy and provide an overview of the changes (cosmetic and real) during Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow’s presidency. Farid Tukhbatulin, an exiled human rights defender from Turkmenistan, will comment on the human rights situation in the country. Ivar Dale (Norwegian Helsinki Committee) will present the Prove they are Alive Campaign.
Opening Remarks:
Heidi Hautala, MEP
Ana Gomes, MEP
Speakers:
Annette Bohr, Associate Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House
Farid Tukhbatulin, Head of the Turkmenistan Initiative for Human Rights, Vienna-based exile human rights organisation
Ivar Dale, Senior Adviser, Norwegian Helsinki Committee (Prove they are Alive Campaign)
Tinatin Tsertsvadze (Moderator), International Advocacy Manager, International Partnership for Human Rights
Confirmation:
We hope that you can join us. Please confirm your participation by Friday 11th March 2016 via Svetlana.kniazeva@iphronline.org
In case you need access badge for the European Parliament please send full details by Tuesday 8th March 2016: name, surname, nationality, passport number, date of birth