UN Authority Figures

UN General Assembly Vice-President: Turkmenistan

"RFE/RL correspondent Ogulsapar Muradova was killed while in detention in Turkmenistan (file photo)(courtesy photo)". Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, December 14, 2006

Mission of the General Assembly:
"The General Assembly shall initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of:
    a. promoting international co-operation in the political field and encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification; b. promoting international co-operation in the economic, social, cultural, educational, and health fields, and assisting in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion." ("UN Charter")

Term of office: 2007-2008

Turkmenistan's Record on "the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion":
"The government continued to commit serious abuses, and its human rights record remained extremely poor. Authorities severely restricted political and civil liberties. Human rights problems included: citizens' inability to change their government; torture and mistreatment of detainees; incommunicado and prolonged detention; abuse of religious minority group members; arbitrary arrest and detention, including family members of accused criminals; house arrest; denial of due process and a fair trial; arbitrary interference with privacy, home, and correspondence; restrictions on freedom of speech, press, assembly, and association; restrictions on religious freedom; a government-maintained blacklist of individuals not permitted to travel abroad; violence against women; and restrictions on free association of workers...The government continued to restrict freedom of movement, speech, press, and assembly. (US State Department's Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006, Turkmenistan)