TURKMEN PRESIDENT SAYS THE COUNTRY WILL "CONTINUE"

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000700 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN; DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2018 TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM TX SUBJECT: TURKMEN PRESIDENT SAYS THE COUNTRY WILL "CONTINUE" ON THE PATH OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Sylvia R. Curran for reasons 1.4(B) an d (D). ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Turkmenistan's president spoke about reform, democracy, and human rights as he laid the first stone for a monument in Ashgabat's southern Berzengi neighborhood dedicated to the country's constitution, now undergoing revision. He spoke at length of Turkmenistan's "continued" commitment to international conventions and standards, and cited reform of the constitution and revision of national laws as elements of his "New Revival" ideology and the path to continued improvement for Turkmen citizens. Although he walked carefully, avoiding any criticism -- direct or implicit -- of his predecessor, it appears clear that he wants constitutional reform to be a key element of his agenda. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) On May 18, President Berdimuhamedov spoke at a ceremony that both celebrated the anniversary of Turkmenistan's first constitution in 1992 and laid a foundation stone for a monument that will commemorate its implementation sixteen years ago. He began by describing the significance of the first constitution, which he said was based on the idea that the human being is the greatest asset to a state and its society. He claimed that humanitarian principles, such as a commitment to international legal norms, human rights and civil freedoms were clearly reflected in the constitution. The constitution of Turkmenistan, he said, would continue to guarantee peace, strengthen the power of the people, and assure a democratic, legal, and secular state. ¶3. (SBU) Berdimuhamedov noted the 60th anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights this year, and said Turkmenistan has demonstrated its adherence to the goals and principles of the document. The Turkmen state, he said, guarantees citizens' rights and liberties as stipulated in the constitution and other international laws regardless of color, gender, language, religion, political and other views, ethnic and social origins. ¶4. (SBU) He mentioned Turkmenistan's role in abolishing the death penalty, and indicated that this decision demonstrated that Turkmenistan supports a strengthening of human rights guarantees. Further, all the international treaties ratified by the parliament of Turkmenistan on civil, political, economic, social, and cultural guarantees, as well as children's' rights and the elimination of discrimination against women are all functioning in the country now. ¶5. (SBU) He described the breadth of legislation that is under review right now, and said there is not a single area of state function that has not been touched by changes. Some laws and normative legal acts in economic, social and humanitarian areas have already been adopted in this process. Returning to the constitution, he said it is time to reform the constitution, because it needs updating. Thus, all suggestions for constitutional changes and amendments would be submitted to the Peoples' Council on July 1 for consideration. ¶6. (SBU) Turkmenistan has great natural and human resources, and is on the right track. The economy is strengthening, the international reputation is better than it has ever been, and it has partners all over the world. He anticipated that the country's progress on reform would accelerate in the future, in the spirit of the "New Revival." ¶7. (C) COMMENT: The president spoke with a clear eye to avoiding any actual or suggested criticism of the previous leadership. Parliament constitutional law advisor Haitov (please protect) told Assistant Secretary Boucher and the Charge on May 28 that the government is making very real ASHGABAT 00000700 002 OF 002 efforts to consult widely on the draft constitution. The parliament already has received hundreds of comments about changes to the constitution, and, after the draft constitution is published on July 1, will send commissions out to the provinces to elicit comments from the people there. The president seems genuinely committed to making the redrafting of the constitution a more public event than the last time the constitution was revised, suggesting that he is serious about trying to accomplish the goals he laid out. END COMMENT. CURRAN