VP/HR — Enforced disappearances in Turkmenistan

1.2.2017

Question for written answer E-000683-17
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Urmas Paet (ALDE)

The situation in Turkmenistan’s prisons has already been dire for a long time. Enforced disappearances are also an ongoing problem in Turkmenistan. At least 87 people are known to be on the list of the disappeared. On 13 January a person died in prison in Turkmenistan who had been on that list, namely Tirkish Tyrmyev, who had spent 15 years in prison. According to various human rights organisations, the Tyrmyev family is also coming under severe pressure. The subject of people have been forcibly disappeared has already been raised repeatedly, with the result that the Turkmen authorities have promised to allow international diplomats to meet prisoners, but this has still not happened, and the promises have remained mere promises. Such treatment of prisoners is a violation of international treaties and of the laws of Turkmenistan, and the EU must use all means in its power to change the situation, to end the practice of enforced disappearances, and to ensure that prisoners are allowed to communicate with their families and lawyers, and that international observers are allowed access to prisons in Turkmenistan. What, therefore, can the EU do to improve the situation in Turkmenistan?

When is it intended to address this subject again at EU level?

How will this situation affect the process of concluding the EU-Turkmenistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement?