Russians in Turkmenistan

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Russians in Turkmenistan are a minority ethnic group, numbering 297,913 as of 2000 census [1] representing 4% of the population. Most ethnic Russians migrated to Turkmenistan during the 20th century. Many settlements were founded in the north of the country. The Russian population reached its peak just before the breakup of the Soviet Union. [2] Most ethnic Russians live in the capital city of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat. Significant populations are found in other major cities. The main religion of Russians in Turkmenistan is Russian Orthodoxy. [3]

Contents

Discrimination

The Turkmen government's decision to cancel a dual-citizenship agreement with Russia in 2003 prompted thousands of ethnic Russians to leave Turkmenistan as they lost their property. [4] Many of those fleeing "in panic" reportedly feared being trapped in a state which has been widely criticised for human rights abuses and has imposed severe restrictions on foreign travel for its citizens. Those without Russian passports may be forced to become Turkmens, and fear that they may never be able to return to Russia. [5]

For these who remained, estimated at around 100,000, all Soviet-time diplomas, certificates and other official documents that were issued outside the Turkmen SSR were nullified, drastically limiting the people's access to work. At the same time, universities have been encouraged to reject applicants with non-Turkmen surnames, especially ethnic Russians. Russian television is difficult to receive in Turkmenistan, the Russian-language radio station Mayak was taken off the air [6] and the Russian newspapers were banned earlier. [7]

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

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  5. "Russians 'flee' Turkmenistan". 2003-06-20. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  6. Pannier, Bruce (2 February 2012). "OSCE Visit Highlights Plight Of Minorities". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  7. "MAR | Data | Assessment for Russians in Turkmenistan". 2006-11-20. Archived from the original on 2006-11-20. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  8. "Ушел из жизни Валерий Отчерцов". Удмуртская правда. Archived from the original on 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  9. "В России умер бывший вице-премьер Туркменистана Валерий Отчерцов". turkmen.news (in Russian). 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  10. http://gpf-europe.com/upload/iblock/2fa/fredholm.ukraine.russia.gas.rr15.pdf.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. https://web.archive.org/web/20130812155911/http://c/. Archived from the original on 2013-08-12. Retrieved 2022-12-18.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)