The Turkmen government is engaged in a widespread campaign of repression against religious minorities, despite its pledge to protect the basic human rights of its citizens, says John Graz, public affairs and religious liberty director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide. 

Graz’s comments come in response to reports of a fresh wave of police raids on Christian gatherings in private homes. According to Keston News Service, police in the capital Ashgabat broke up a meeting of the Greater Grace church on January 10, warning the group of some 25 people that their gathering was illegal.  The latest incident follows months of harassment of faith groups, including the arrest and three-day detention of an Adventist pastor in October 2000 for meeting in a private home with a group of Adventist Church members in the northeastern city of Turkmenabat.

“It is high time that the international community reacts seriously to the constant violation of human rights in Turkmenistan,” says Graz. “Churches, temples and houses of worship have been destroyed or closed.  Believers have been expelled from their apartments by the secret police. Such a repressive policy is in total opposition to the international treaties Turkmenistan has signed.”

Graz says that the administration of the Adventist Church worldwide will continue its efforts to ease religious persecution in Turkmenistan. “To express our concern we are organizing a world letter campaign and will report this violation in our next intervention before the United Nations Commission on Human Rights,” he says.

While Turkmenistan’s constitution purports to protect religious freedom, under current law only “registered religious groups” can hold public or private meetings.  The Russian Orthodox Church and Sunni Muslims are the only organizations that have been granted registration. During the past four years, the Turkmen government has cracked down on unregistered religious groups, breaking up meetings, arresting leaders, and confiscating or destroying property. Among the many groups targeted are Protestant Christian denominations, Jews and Hare Krishnas.