UN Authority Figures

UN General Assembly Vice-President: Turkmenistan

Human rights observers warn of Turkmenistan's "massive human rights abuses" and Reporters Without Borders ranked Turkmenistan last in the world for press freedom in its 2019 World Press Freedom Index.
Source: Business Insider, October 29, 2019. Photo: The capital city Ashgabat, courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Mission of the General Assembly:
"13. The General Assembly shall initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of:
    a. promoting international co-operation in the political field and encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification;
    b. promoting international co-operation in the economic, social, cultural, educational, and health fields, and assisting in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion." ("UN Charter")

Term of office: 2020-2021

Turkmenistan's Record on "the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion":
"Significant human rights issues included: reports of torture by police and prison officials; arbitrary detention; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; political prisoners; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy; serious problems with the independence of the judiciary; severe restrictions on free expression, the press, and the internet, including threats of violence and threats of unjustified arrests or prosecutions against journalists; censorship and site blocking; interference with the freedoms of peaceful assembly and freedom of association; severe restrictions of religious freedom; substantial restrictions on freedom of movement; restrictions on political participation; widespread corruption;..."
(U.S. State Department's Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2019, Turkmenistan)