Letter to EBRD on human rights abuses by Turkmenistan against environmental activist Andrey Zatoka

As the EBRD reviews its country strategy for Turkmenistan, the letter requests the bank to bear in mind the serious human rights violations occurring in Turkmenistan, as exemplified by Mr. Zatokas case.

Mr. Zatoka, for no reason, has been denied his citizenship, evicted from his home and community, and forced to emigrate to Russia in order to stay out of prison. The incident was clearly a set-up and was the culmination of over three years of harassment of Mr. Zatoka by the Turkmen government. Mr. Zatoka was arrested in December 2006, also on falsified charges, and was released in January 2007 after international outcry over his detainment.

More information on the case can be found on Crude Accountability's website.

EBRD President Thomas Mirow responded to our letter on November 23, 2009. Download his response as pdf here.