Türkiye: Save Turkmen Activist – Stop Deportation
- Human Rights Watch is pressing Turkish authorities to promptly release Umidajan Bekchanova, a Turkmen dissident currently held in an Istanbul deportation center.
- Rachel Denber, deputy Europe and Central Asia director at human Rights Watch, stated that bekchanova's detention places her at immediate risk.
- Bekchanova, 45, was detained May 29 and moved to the Arnavutköy deportation center before being transferred to Çatalca Deportation Center June 1.Her lawyer has appealed the deportation decision,...
Human Rights Watch demands Turkey halt teh deportation of Turkmen activist Umidajan Bekchanova, fearing her return to Turkmenistan will result in severe human rights abuses. Bekchanova, detained in istanbul, could face arbitrary detention, torture, or worse if Turkey sends her back, according to HRW. Turkish authorities claim she’s a threat. Though, evidence suggests these claims are unsubstantiated.This situation is part of a larger pattern. News Directory 3 is following these developments closely. Turkey must adhere to its international obligations and provide Bekchanova with protection. Discover what’s next for this case and other Turkmen activists.
Turkey Urged Not to Deport Turkmen Activist
Human Rights Watch is pressing Turkish authorities to promptly release Umidajan Bekchanova, a Turkmen dissident currently held in an Istanbul deportation center. The institution fears Bekchanova faces severe persecution and abuse if forcibly returned to Turkmenistan.
Rachel Denber, deputy Europe and Central Asia director at human Rights Watch, stated that bekchanova’s detention places her at immediate risk. Denber urged Turkey to adhere to international obligations and prevent Bekchanova’s return to a country where she could face arbitrary detention or worse.
Bekchanova, 45, was detained May 29 and moved to the Arnavutköy deportation center before being transferred to Çatalca Deportation Center June 1.Her lawyer has appealed the deportation decision, arguing that the claim she poses a threat to public order is unsubstantiated.
Turkish authorities have previously used similar claims to justify deporting other Turkmen activists. Bekchanova’s Turkish residence permit was canceled in 2024,and her Turkmen passport has expired,leaving her undocumented.
Human Rights Watch emphasizes that bekchanova’s criticism of the Turkmen government puts her at risk of torture and ill-treatment. The organization urges Turkey to allow her to apply for international protection status under turkish law.
HRW also calls on Turkey’s international partners to intervene and prevent the deportation of Bekchanova and other Turkmen activists in custody.
Bekchanova had been living in Turkey legally since 2017. she became involved in social media discussions critical of the Turkmen government in 2020 and participated in peaceful protests.She also created anonymous videos advocating for human rights and organized flash mobs calling for freedom of expression.
She later joined HSM, a group of exiled Turkmen dissidents with a YouTube channel critical of the Turkmen government. Bekchanova also manages social media accounts for Turkmen dissidents and runs her own YouTube channel, Behind (Channel for Women’s Voices), wich focuses on women’s rights.
Turkmenistan’s government routinely targets self-reliant journalists, critics, and activists with arbitrary detention, travel bans, and harassment. The justice system lacks independence, and torture is widespread.
Human Rights Watch reports that Turkmen authorities have targeted Bekchanova’s family in an attempt to silence her. Her son was allegedly detained and subjected to electric shocks in 2020 after sharing information about economic hardships in Turkmenistan. In 2024, her younger son was sentenced to three years on what bekchanova claims were fabricated robbery charges.
Bekchanova learned in January that her residence permit had been canceled in october 2024.Authorities initially cited “provocative actions” at the behest of Turkmen authorities as the reason, but provided no written explanation. The court case regarding the cancellation is ongoing.
Her detention is part of a broader pattern of Turkish authorities detaining and deporting turkmen migrants who become undocumented due to Turkmenistan’s refusal to renew passports. Some deported activists have been detained and imprisoned upon returning to Turkmenistan.
Abdulla Orusov and Alisher Sakhatov, two other Turkmen activists detained April 28, remain in deportation custody.
Turkey’s international treaty obligations prohibit refoulement, the return of individuals to countries where they face persecution, torture, or threats to life.
“Sending Bekchanova to Turkmenistan would potentially mean sentencing her to suffering and torment at the hands of Turkmen authorities,” Denber said. “Türkiye is obligated not to expose her and other activists to the risk of torture and persecution.”
What’s next
Human Rights Watch continues to monitor the situation and advocate for the rights of Turkmen activists facing deportation from Turkey, urging international pressure on Turkish authorities to uphold their obligations under international law and ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable individuals.