The European Union and Turkmenistan held their 18th annual Human Rights Dialogue on 22 June 2026 in Ashgabat, with the EU raising serious concerns over torture, enforced disappearances, transnational repression against human rights defenders, and calling for decriminalisation of consensual same-sex relations. The EU delegation was led by Dietmar Krissler, Head of the Central Asia Division of the European External Action Service, while Turkmenistan's delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mehri Byashimova. The Ombudswoman of Turkmenistan, Yazdursun Gurbannazarova, and Deputy Minister of Education Azat Atayev also participated.
The EU welcomed Turkmenistan's openness to dialogue amid intensified high-level engagement with Central Asia. Discussions covered rule of law, fundamental freedoms, environmental, social, economic, labour rights, and gender equality. The EU handed over a list of individual cases of concern regarding human rights defenders, including alleged transnational repression. It commended constructive cooperation with the International Labour Organization to address forced and child labour, and welcomed a recently launched EU-funded bilateral project with the ILO. The EU also acknowledged the intensification of work by the Office of the Ombudsperson and welcomed her active participation.
Turkmenistan shared plans to implement commitments on women's rights, children's rights, and rights of persons with disabilities, and presented recent developments in economic, social, and cultural rights. The EU urged effective anti-discrimination measures and continued efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence, including criminalisation of domestic violence. It also called for decriminalisation of consensual same-sex relations.
Serious concerns were raised about detention conditions, including reports of torture and ill-treatment. The EU called for consistent cooperation with civil society on enforced disappearances, commended efforts to address statelessness, and urged non-discriminatory access to consular services for Turkmen citizens abroad. It reiterated the importance of freedom of opinion, expression, movement, association, right to information, and independent media, stressing the need for unrestricted internet access and a safe environment for civil society.
The EU encouraged implementation of recommendations from the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Universal Periodic Review, and underlined the importance of a concrete plan with specific dates for pending visits by UN special procedures. The EU emphasised that respect for human rights remains a key guiding principle for bilateral relations. Both parties agreed to continue strengthening cooperation. The next dialogue is scheduled in Brussels in 2027.