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Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan: family pressured, persecuted abroad
The guides below are drafts: a lawyer has not reviewed them yet. This is not legal advice.
Draft What human rights defenders advise
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan: pressure on family and persecution abroad
- Deportation home happens even from the EU and Turkey: since 2023 Germany has deported four Tajik activists, all arrested on arrival. Apply for asylum with a lawyer and document threats.
- Do not send your passport to a consulate for renewal or go home for documents: Turkmen passports are not renewed and exit bans follow. Find out about refugee travel documents in advance.
- If relatives are summoned or forced to disown you, note dates and names. Pass on or publish information about relatives only with their consent and after talking to rights groups: HRW, Freedom for Eurasia, Uzbek Forum, Chronicles of Turkmenistan.
- Russia, the UAE and Turkey are not safe: Pamiri, Karakalpak and Turkmen activists have been returned from there, including on Interpol notices.
current as of 25 September 2026. More: HRW: Tajik activist deported from Germany; HRW: Turkmen activists at home and in exile; HRW: World Report 2026, Uzbekistan
Whom to contact
9 organisationsWhere you are now
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Access Now Digital Security Helpline
Free 24/7 help for activists and journalists: hacked accounts, surveillance, securing accounts and devices. Russian-language support available.
Other ways to reach them: help@accessnow.org
Get in touch
accessnow.org
Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
Documents persecution in Uzbekistan (bloggers, journalists, prisoners, forced labour) and campaigns for release. Does not provide legal aid.
Other ways to reach them: info@uzbekforum.org
Get in touch
uzbekforum.org
Freedom for Eurasia
Investigations into corruption and human rights abuses in Central Asia, including the persecution of Tajik and other activists in Europe. Accepts confidential information.
A research and advocacy group, not legal aid for individual cases.
Other ways to reach them: freedomeurasia@protonmail.com
Get in touch
freedomforeurasia.org
Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (Chronicles of Turkmenistan)
Monitors human rights abuses in Turkmenistan. Accepts reports on persecution, exit bans, passports not renewed and pressure on relatives.
The old address chrono-tm.org no longer belongs to the organisation. Do not open it.
Other ways to reach them: Telegram · hronikatm@gmail.com
Get in touch
hronikatm.com
Turkmen.news
Independent outlet covering Turkmenistan. Accepts reports of abuses, including pressure on Turkmen citizens abroad.
Independent media are blocked in Turkmenistan. Use a VPN.
Other ways to reach them: Telegram channel
Get in touch
turkmen.news
Prove They Are Alive! campaign
Seeks information on people who disappeared in Turkmenistan's prisons, tracking 162 confirmed cases. Accepts information from relatives and acquaintances.
Other ways to reach them: website
Get in touch
mailto:provetheyarealive@gmail.com
Front Line Defenders
Emergency support for human rights defenders at risk: protection grants, secure contact, publicity and advocacy after detention.
For people targeted for peaceful human rights work, including activists and journalists.
Other ways to reach them: protection grants
Get in touch
frontlinedefenders.org
ProtectDefenders.eu
The EU human rights defenders mechanism: emergency grants, temporary relocation, trial monitoring.
Get in touch
protectdefenders.eu