Saparmyrat Nyyazow
Saparmyrat Atáyewiç Nyýazow (Russian: Сапармура́т Атáевич Ния́зов) was a Turkmen industrial engineer, politician, and dictator who ruled his country between 1985 and 2006, first as General Secretary of the Communist Party, and after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, as the first president of the sovereign state of Turkmenistan. His name is written & # 34; Saparmyrat Atáyewiç Nyýazow & # 34; in the recently adopted Turkmen Latin orthography, and Saparmurat Atáyevich Niyázov, in the transliteration of the Cyrillic alphabet, with which Turkmen was officially written until Nyýazow's own alphabet change. The Turkmen media referred to him with the title "His Excellency he Saparmurat Türkmenbaşy , President of Turkmenistan and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers". His self-proclaimed title Türkmenbaşy, meaning Leader of the Turkmen, referred to his position as founder and president of the World Turkmen Association.
During his initial period as the last leader of Soviet Turkmenistan, the Turkmen branch of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union was seen as one of the most closed and least reformed in the Union in the context of Glasnost policies. i> and Perestroika promoted by Mikhail Gorbachev in the rest of the country. Nyýazow supported the coup attempt against Gorbachev in August 1991 and, after its failure, proclaimed the independence of Turkmenistan as an independent nation with him as head of state. He transformed the Turkmen Communist Party into the Turkmen Democratic Party, under a one-party regime. In 1999, the National Assembly of Turkmenistan declared him president for life of the country, the most recent case of this type of proclamation.
Considered by the media and human rights organizations as one of the most totalitarian, despotic and repressive dictators in the contemporary world, Nyýazow promoted a cult of personality around himself and imposed his personal eccentricities on the country, highlighting the alteration of the Turkmen calendar to place references to his person or his family in the names of the days and months, the change of the Turkmen word for table bread by the name of his mother, the obligatory nature of the reading of his book Ruhnama to the population and their learning as a requirement to guarantee the completion of minimum administrative procedures or the passing of exams (academic graduation, obtaining a driver's license, job interviews) and the closure of all hospitals in the country outside the capital Ashgabat, leaving Turkmenistan as the country with the lowest life expectancy in Central Asia. Seeking the revival of a "Turkmen national identity" after decades of rule As a communist, Nyýazow instituted a policy known as Turkmenization, which sought to ban cultural aspects he perceived as "anti-Turkmen" and was in turn denounced as a justification for racist crackdowns against large Russian and Uzbek minorities. The state remained staunchly secular and religious freedom was harshly repressed.
Global Witness, a London-based human rights organization, reported that money under Nyýazow's control and held abroad may exceed $3 billion, of which between $1.8 and $2.6 billion is They were supposedly placed in the Deutsche Bank Foreign Exchange Reserve Fund in Germany. Nyýazow died in December 2006 and was succeeded by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who replaced his predecessor's cult of personality with his own.
Biography
Early Years
Born in the Turkmen SSR, a member republic of the Soviet Union, in 1940, he was orphaned at an early age when his father died in combat against German forces during World War II. The rest of his family perished after an earthquake devastated Ashgabat in 1948; Nyýazow grew up in an orphanage. His mother, Gurbansoltan Eje, died in the earthquake and would later form part of her son's cult of personality.
After finishing school in 1959, he worked as an instructor in the exploratory committee of Turkmen trade unions. He then he studied at the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute, where in 1967 he received the diploma of electrical engineer. He worked at the Bezmeinskaya power station near Ashgabat. After graduation, he went to study in Russia, but was expelled a few years after his academic failure.
Political career
In 1962, Nyýazow began his political career by joining the Communist Party of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, and rose through the ranks within it to become its first secretary in 1985. He earned this position after the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev had ousted his predecessor, Muhammetnazar Gapurow, following a corruption scandal involving cotton production. Under Nyýazow's leadership, the Turkmenistan Communist Party had a reputation as a harder-line and less reformed organization of communism. On January 13, 1990, Nyýazow was appointed Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Turkmen SSR, the supreme legislative body of the Republic. The position was equivalent to that of local president.
Nyýazow supported the attempted coup against Gorbachev in 1991. After the coup failed, he ordered the peaceful separation of Turkmenistan from the moribund Soviet Union. The Supreme Soviet declared Turkmenistan independent and appointed Nyýazow as president of the new state on October 27, 1991.
Presidency
Elections and cult of personality
In the elections for the Supreme Soviet in 1990, despite the introduction of multi-party politics, the Communist Party was the only one that could present itself, on January 7, to the electoral process, receiving all the seats. after the country's independence, Nýyazow dissolved the Communist Party and made it illegal. With the newly founded Democratic Party of Turkmenistan ruling as a single party, Nyýazow was approved by referendum as the sole electoral candidate on June 21, 1992. A year after his election, Nyýazow declared himself "Türkmenbaşy&# 3. 4; (Leader of all Turkmen).
In 1994 a plebiscite was held to extend his term by eight years, so that he could oversee a ten-year development plan, which was approved with an implausible 99.9% of the vote. On December 28, 1999 (1999 Turkmen parliamentary election), the parliament declared Nyýazow President for Life of Turkmenistan. Parliamentary elections had been held a month earlier, in which Nyýazow had chosen all the candidates, from the only legal party in the country. Independent candidates were discarded or detained.
Although one of his first acts as president was to abolish the death penalty and grant nominal civil rights to the population, these were never ratified or respected in practice. His government was accused of being authoritarian and fraudulent, and had one of the worst human rights records, and an elaborate personality cult began around Nyýazow, in the form of gilt statues of him around the world. the country. His face was found on almost every Turkmen manat bill, in the media, on highways, and bottles of alcoholic beverages.He also publicly stated that any radio or television broadcaster who criticized him would wither away. language.
In 2001 Nyýazow published his book, Ruhnama (in Spanish: Book of the Soul). The work is a treatise on morality and civility, which mixes poetry with political concepts; At first, the first volume was gradually introduced to the population, but later, it became required reading for all students in schools and universities in Turkmenistan; even in science subjects, such as Physics and Chemistry, one had to know and receive the reading of the book. Conceived by the dictator as a spiritual guide, it was so important that Turkmen officials were examined on its content every year, and even doctors had to swear allegiance to the president and his book before they could exercise their activity. Nyýazow went so far as to say that his book was as important as the Koran, and forced some imams to recite it during prayers.After some refused, accusing him of blasphemy, the state ordered several mosques to be demolished.
In May 2004, the Turkmenistan government-controlled website issued a statement announcing the phasing out of "several minor educational and scientific addresses". The teaching of algebra, physics and physical education effectively ended in Turkmenistan. Instead, students were encouraged to memorize the Ruhnama and chant slogans praising President Nyýazow. There is a huge mechanical statue of the book in Ashgabat, the country's capital. Every night at 8:00 p.m. m., the cover opens and a recording of a passage from the book can be heard along with a video. In 2005, Nyýazow had a copy of his book placed in a space capsule to "conquer space"; and it is said that it will probably be in orbit for 150 years. He would later claim that, according to Allah, one had to read his book three times to enter heaven. After Nyýazow's death, the book continues to be popular among the population. The Ruhnama would not cease to be legally binding until 2011, when Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Nyýazow's successor, signed a decree removing it from schools, after having recommended the book until 2009.
There is currently controversy over whether Nyýazow actually wrote the book, as an anonymous New York Times insider claimed that the late President was actually illiterate. However, this accusation was never verified. The book was translated into forty-one languages.
Turkmenization policy
Turkmanization was the term used to describe the policy of racial discrimination undertaken by Nyýazow, which had the objective of imposing nationalist ideas on the population, and forcing ethnic minorities (Uzbeks and Russians mainly) to adopt Turkmen culture, with the nominal purpose of giving the people a national identity after the fall of the Soviet regime, which strongly repressed nationalisms within the Union republics. Those who opposed following it were deported. Most of the officials of the Union government who were not ethnic Turkmen were fired. To obtain public office, candidates had to prove that they had at least three past generations of Turkmen origin before being accepted. Informal social control was used to ensure that all citizens spoke Turkmen and wore traditional clothing. Any Uzbek woman who tried to marry a Turkmen, she was deported from the country along with her children. In some cases Uzbek children in Turkmen schools have been instructed to wear Turkmen clothing or be expelled from school. Most Uzbek imams in mosques in the Corasmia region, where Uzbeks make up 50% of the population, they were forced to leave their religious position. In 2003, the government prohibited Turkmen from having dual citizenship, which caused thousands of people to leave the country.
Human rights during his regime
Both during Nyýazow's presidency and after his death, the Turkmen state is considered one of the most repressive in the world. Already in the days of the Soviet Union, the Turkmen SSR Communist Party, led by by Nyýazow, as one of the least reformed. While he was president, Nyýazow controlled all the media and journalists in Turkmenistan were personally appointed by him. Controversy surrounds the death of Radio Free Europe journalist Ogulsapar Myrádowa, who was allegedly tortured to death in September 2006 during her state detention, three months before Nyýazow's death. According to Reporters Without Borders, Turkmenistan was the third worst country for press freedom, behind Burma and North Korea. Journalists have been reportedly harassed by the government; some have remained in prison and were prosecuted with false accusations and unfair trials. Activist Sazak Durdymuradov was arrested in 2005 for collaborating with a French television channel for a report on Turkmenistan. He was sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of "illegal acquisition, possession or sale of firearms or ammunition". Amnesty International considers that these accusations were fabricated.
Another important point in terms of human rights violations is freedom of religion. The Turkmen constitution defines the country as a secular state and expressly guarantees freedom of religion in article 11. However, like the rest of the fundamental rights, in practice it is almost non-existent. Turkmenistan is a country with an Islamic majority. Despite international pressure, the regime's legal framework regarding religion is so restrictive that many religious groups (such as Protestant Christians, Hare Krishna, and Jehovah's Witnesses) prefer to practice their religion in secret than go through all the necessary bureaucratic procedures to allow them to freely practice worship. Jehovah's Witnesses have been imprisoned and beaten for being conscientious objectors. Many clergymen have been arrested for refusing to perform mandatory military service, as have several citizens who they were reluctant to comply.
Any opposition to the regime was taken as treason and was usually punishable by prison terms. The country is full of political prisoners. A notable case is that of Batyr Berdiýew on December 8, 2002, he was arrested for allegedly being related to an assassination attempt against President Nyýazow. In January 2003, he was convicted of his role in the assassination attempt and received a 25-year prison sentence. It is unknown if he is still alive today, despite Nyýazow's successor Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow stating that he believes so. alive.
Eccentric laws and prohibitions
Above its marked cult of personality, Nyýazow's government was also characterized by the imposition of eccentric laws. After having to quit smoking in 1997 due to heart surgery, he banned smoking in all public places and ordered all government employees to do the same. He later also banned chewing tobacco. Opera, ballet, and the circus they were banned in 2001, for being "resolutely anti-Turkmen", as part of the Turkmenisation campaign. He banished all dogs from Ashgabat for "their unpleasant smell". with the steering wheel in the opposite direction were prohibited due to the risk of accidents. It also prohibited reporters from wearing makeup. In February 2004 it was decreed that men should no longer wear long hair or beards.
Among the eccentric changes Nyýazow made were changing the names of the months in the Turkmen calendar, replacing them with names that refer to him or to historical heroes depicted in his book. April, the month with the best weather, was renamed Gurbansoltan (after his mother, Gurbansoltan Eje), and September was renamed Ruhnama, after his book. Turkmenistan did not return to its normal calendar until 2008. Several places, including a district, were named after Nyýazow's mother. Another strange request from Nyýazow was to build an ice palace in the Turkmen desert, but he eventually traded it for a skating rink, which was completed after the dictator's death in 2008, and is located next to the Turkmen State University. In February 2005, all hospitals outside of Ashgabat were ordered closed, reasoning that sick people should go to the capital for treatment, and replaced the Hippocratic oath of doctors with an oath of allegiance to the president.
Economic policy
Turkmenistan has the second largest oil reserves in the former Soviet Union, generating high revenue for the state. The Nyýazow government thus maintained state control over the industry, similar to its time as a republic of the Soviet Union. In 1991, Nyýazow issued a decree granting "free use of water, gas and electricity and refined salt for the people of Turkmenistan for ten years. When the decree expired, it was extended until 2020. Turkmenistan's other primary resources are cotton and grain. Nyýazow continued the longstanding practice of requiring annual quotas on agricultural production, and then blaming and/or firing deputy ministers when the quotas were not met. Turkmenistan had an emerging period during which there was heavy investment in machinery and facilities, thus that the country could change from a producer of seed cotton to a processor of cotton. During Nyýazow's presidency, a textile industry was founded in Turkmenistan.
Foreign Policy
Nyýazow promoted a policy of strict neutrality in foreign affairs, refraining from seeking membership in NATO or GUAM and almost ignoring the CSTO. Turkmenistan has not participated in any of the United Nations peacekeeping missions. However, it has become a member of Interpol.
Turkmenistan's full independence was recognized by a UN General Assembly resolution called "the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan," on December 12, 1995. As a result, in 2005 Turkmenistan cut its ties with the Commonwealth of Independent States becoming an associate member under Article 8 of the CIS Charter, as such, it would not participate in any of the CIS military structures.
In 2006, the European Commission and the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade voted to grant Turkmenistan "most favored nation" with the European Union, this being widely seen by the international community as motivated by interest in natural gas, after Nyýazow announced that he was going to enter into a dialogue on human rights in his country with the EU. Since the presidency Since Nyýazow, relations with the United States have been strained by the regime's refusal to pursue a democratic transition and free-market reforms. Relations with Russia have also been troubled, as the two countries often clashed over price negotiations for gas exports to Russia.
Death
On December 21, 2006, Turkmen state television announced that President Nyýazow had died of a sudden heart attack. Nyýazow had been taking medication for an unidentified heart condition. The Turkmen Embassy in Moscow later confirmed this report. In accordance with the Constitution of Turkmenistan, Öwezgeldi Ataýew, President of the Assembly, would assume the presidency on an interim basis. Deputy Prime Minister Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was appointed as head of the state funeral organization commission. Ataýew was detained on the day of Nyýazow's death and Berdimuhamedow was named interim president until the elections in February 2007, when he was definitively elected. The circumstances of Nyýazow's death have been surrounded by some media speculation. Some Turkmen opposition sources also claim that Nyýazow died several days before the officially announced date of December 21. Press reports also claimed that Nyýazow suffered from diabetes, coronary heart disease, and kidney failure.
At the time of the announcement of Nyýazow's death, various political analysts predicted an unprecedented political crisis in Turkmenistan due to the demise of the dictator. Rafis Abazov, Columbia University professor and author of the Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan, stated that the whole of society would fall into chaos and the short-term economic and social consequences would be indescribable. The possibility of a popular revolt against the dictatorial government after the death of Nyýazow and the start of a A civil war similar to that in Afghanistan was considered on numerous occasions. However, the transition of power after Nyýazow's funeral was carried out peacefully and without major incidents.