USCIRF IN TURKMENISTAN: GOVERNMENT SIGNALS DESIRE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 ASHGABAT 000897 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF TX SUBJECT: USCIRF IN TURKMENISTAN: GOVERNMENT SIGNALS DESIRE TO IMPROVE, BUT SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS REMAIN REF: A. ASHGABAT 878 ¶B. ASHGABAT 863 ¶C. ASHGABAT 860 ¶D. ASHGABAT 845 ASHGABAT 00000897 001.2 OF 004 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Richard E. Hoagland for reasons 1.4(B) and (D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: An August 19-25 visit by a delegation of commissioners and staffers from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) demonstrated that Turkmenistan is starting a transition that could lead to substantially improved religious tolerance. Given unprecedented access, the USCIRF group -- all outspoken critics of past religious policies here -- was told by President Berdimuhamedov and others that they are willing to make changes needed (including, if necessary, revamping Turkmenistan's law on religion) to improve Turkmenistan's religious freedom environment. That said, religious groups -- especially non-traditional groups -- continue to experience serious difficulties with practicing their faith. The delegation was promised that the government would continue to release individuals imprisoned for complicity in the 2002 attack against former President Niyazov's motorcade, and would hold a roundtable with religious groups to discuss problems they are facing. But the biggest problem in bringing about change may prove to be convincing lower-level government personnel, who still continue to follow old practices, that change is needed. END SUMMARY. GOVERNMENT OPENS ITS DOORS TO USCIRF ¶2. (SBU) The USCIRF delegation included Chairman Michael Cromartie, Commissioner Donald Argue, Commissioner Imam Talal Eid, and staff members David Dettoni, Catherine Cosman and Christopher Swift. This week-long visit by a group known to be outspoken critics of the government is unprecedented -- and would have been impossible a year ago. Yet, the delegation's schedule was jam-packed: the delegation requested -- and was granted -- meetings during its August 19-25 visit with the heads of every government body that touches on religious freedom, including President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov (ref a). (NOTE: Our understanding is this is the first time USCIRF has met with a head of state. END NOTE.) ¶3. (SBU) Other meetings were with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers/Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov (ref c), Director of the Institute of Democracy and Human Rights Shirin Akhmedova, Minister of Internal Affairs Hojamyrat Annagurbanov, Minister of Education Muhammetgeldi Annaamanov (ref b),Chairman of the State Service for Registration of Foreign Citizens Yaylym Berdiyev, Chairman of the Mejlis (Parliament) Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms Juma Jumaev, Minister of Justice Myrat Garryev, Minister of Culture Kakageldi Charyardurdyev (ref d),and Council of Religious Affairs Chairman Charygeldi Seryayev and Deputy Chairman Nurmuhammet Gurbanov. The delegation members also visited a number of cultural and religious sites, including four mosques and a Russian Orthodox church. NON-TRADITIONAL GROUPS REPORT PROBLEMS ¶4. (C) During the course of two Embassy-hosted roundtables, non-mainstream registered and unregistered religious groups told delegation members of the difficulties under which they were operating. While the unregistered groups were facing the most serious problems, including harassment from law-enforcement and local religious affairs authorities, even the registered groups indicated that they, too, were not operating without challenges. Registered groups complained ASHGABAT 00000897 002 OF 004 about the increased administrative load they were facing as a result of requirements to report all activities. They also agreed that they continued to face serious difficulties with getting their sacred texts imported or printed in-country and with finding places to worship. One already-registered group of Pentacostals reported that a session held to attract new members on July 31 was summarily broken up, and that all 200 individuals attending the session had been trucked off to a police station, where they had been photographed and questioned. ¶5. (C) That said, however, the registered and unregistered group representatives were also able to deliver some good news. Most reported that they had recently been told they would be allowed to travel abroad -- in some cases, for the first time ever. And most (including unregistered groups) also indicated that, notwithstanding the harassment and other problems they faced, their congregations were continuing to grow. Although members of some of the minority religious groups expressed trepidation at being seen meeting with the USCIRF delegation, all subsequently reported that they were not harassed by authorities either prior to or following the meetings. GOVERNMENT MEETINGS TOUGH BUT CONSTRUCTIVE ¶6. (C) The delegation came prepared to make some tough points. In meeting after meeting, members hammered home their concerns over the problems faced by those -- especially in non-traditional groups -- seeking to practice their faiths. Imam Talal Eid expressed the discomfort that he had felt seeing passages from the Ruhnama on the walls of the Gypjak mosque and called for the government and Muslim clerics to be supportive of minority efforts to worship. Delegation members urged the government to eliminate the registration requirement -- or, at least, to allow all groups trying to register to do so. Commissioners Argue and Eid stressed that the members of the non-traditional groups were good, productive citizens who posed no threat to the government and should not be harassed or ill-treated by Turkmenistan's law enforcement bodies. Commissioners Cromartie and Argue pushed for the government to allow printing of religious materials in Turkmenistan, or for customs laws to be revised so that religious groups can easily import the materials they need to practice their faiths. All pushed for religious leaders outside Turkmenistan to be allowed to visit members of their faiths, and for members of religious groups to travel abroad for religious study. They also encouraged the government to assist non-traditional groups to find places to worship and to address problems faced by conscientious objectors. ¶7. (C) While many of the ministers were clearly unused to and uncomfortable with discussing these issues, the atmosphere in all meetings remained productive and constructive. In many cases, the ministers acknowledged there were problems, expressed the desire to resolve those issues, and asked for USCIRF's assistance in revamping Turkmenistan's law on religion. Only the Minister of Internal Affairs denied that there were any problems and, in fact, a deputy minister in the meeting claimed, "We are not involved in these (cases of harassment). We do not harass religious groups. Our job is only to ensure public security." Likewise, the Chairman of the State Service for Registration of Foreign Citizens claimed that any individuals being denied permission to depart Turkmenistan were not facing problems because they were members of religious groups, but rather, for other reasons. In a few cases, ministers tried to pass off responsibility for the problems religious groups were experiencing to other agencies. The Minister of Justice, responsible for registering religious groups, referred the delegation to the ASHGABAT 00000897 003 OF 004 Council of Religious Affairs, while the Council referred the delegation to the Ministry of Justice. A SEDAKA OF THANKSGIVING ¶8. (C) One of the most touching events that the delegation participated in was a sedaka (feast of thanksgiving) offered by the family of the former Grand Mufti of Turkmenistan, Nasrullah ibn Ibadullah, in honor of his recent release from prison. The event was held at the Council of Religious Affairs -- of which Nasrullah has just become a member. Nasrullah was not only in attendance at the feast, but also was given a small speaking role during the meeting with the Council. He was treated with tremendous deference by almost everybody in attendance. When embassy officer leaned over and whispered in the ear of one elder attending the event, "Are you pleased with his release?" the old man grinned and responded back, "You have no idea how pleased we are." COUNCIL OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS: AN INSTRUCTIVE MEETING ¶9. (C) The two-hour session at the Council of Religious Affairs was by far the toughest of the delegation's meetings. After the members of the USCIRF delegation made their initial points about the inclusion of the Ruhnama phrases in the Gypjak mosque, the Grand Mufti responded by criticizing the United States for not allowing calls to prayer -- or even the ringing of church bells -- in many communities. He also flatly rejected Imam Eid's suggestion that Turkmenistan was doing anything against Shari'a law by allowing verses from the Ruhnama inside Gypjak mosque. Father Sapunov (who serves as Secretary of the Council) disputed the need to print Bibles and other religious literature in Turkmenistan. Deputy Chairman of the Council on Religious Affairs Gurbanov jumped in and emphasized Turkmenistan's desire to correct any human rights problems, and pointed out that one of the biggest problems was a lack of understanding of the non-traditional groups. The Adventists had sought to address this problem by holding a very successful "Healthy Lifestyles" exposition in Ashgabat. It was initiatives like this that helped enhance public understanding of these groups -- and cut down on problems the groups were experiencing. ¶10. (C) In a follow-up meeting August 28 with the Charge, Foreign Minister Meredov reiterated points he and President Berdimuhamedov had made to USCIRF. "We have made the decision to change. When you become aware of problems, tell us and we will resolve them. You understand conceptual change will take a longer time to achieve. However, we are committed to that change. In the meantime, we ask respect from you and fairness." ¶11. (C) COMMENT: We believe that a few, like the president, Foreign Minister Meredov and Gurbanov clearly understand the need to make changes to the way the government deals with religious groups and are committed to bringing that about. However, the speed and degree of change will depend most of all upon the ability of these individuals to gain buy-in from those below, many of whom see the emergence of non-traditional groups as a threat and/or competition. Changing a deeply ingrained mind-set as a country begins to emerge from absolutist control and pervasive fear will be a very long process. In the coming years, the challenge for the international community will be to find constructive ways within this political culture to promote change, while realizing that all change takes time. ¶12. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: The USCIRF delegation seemed to agree that it visited Turkmenistan at the beginning of a process of transition. While all members were keenly aware of and concerned by the many problems still faced by non-traditional religious communities, however, the ASHGABAT 00000897 004 OF 004 willingness of Turkmenistan's government officials to meet and discuss those problems is noteworthy. We hope that the delegation's final report will reflect that development, as well as constructively recommend areas for improvement. END COMMENT. HOAGLAND