Study finds little Turkmenistan religious freedom

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan — A survey analysis of religious freedom in Turkmenistan reported an almost complete lack of freedom to practice any faith, including denials of the right of legally registered congregations to worship.

In a typical example of this approach with religious minorities, police raided a legally registered Baptist church in northern Turkmenistan, claiming that “individuals can only believe on their own at home.” Unregistered religious activity continues to be attacked in defiance of international human rights agreements. There has been an increase in attempts to impose a state religious personality cult on all Turkmen citizens.