According to A source at “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” reports, the authorities of Turkmenistan are increasingly concerned over analytical reports by the NSM and the Migration Office, which suggest that a growing number of residents wish to leave Turkmenistan permanently, as well as increasing activity of migrants and study-abroad students who more often are expressing the negative attitude towards the government and joining various opposition movements.
Repressions carried out by the NSM and police officers, as well as pressure on fellow countrymen through Consulates and the special services based abroad do not bring about the results desired by the authorities.
The NSM and the Migration Office have put forward a range of proposals to minimize overseas travel for Turkmen citizens and to repatriate Turkmen nationals.
For example, Turkmenistan’s Migration Office proposes toughening the procedure for issuing international travel passports, which should be issued to the following categories of citizens:
students doing a course of studies in foreign Universities, on presenting confirmation from the Ministry of Education;
entrepreneurs who are able to provide evidence from the Tax Authorities and Turkmenistan’s Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs;
citizens traveling for medical treatment, provided they have referral from the Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Industry;
individuals visiting family members if they have an invitation.
The right to travel abroad can be limited timewise. In cases of violating the return date an individual will be fined or barred from leaving the country for a specific time. These measures remind one of the procedure of “exit visas” which had been introduced under Saparmurat Niyazov.
Tighter monitoring of senior students doing a course in Universities abroad was among other proposals.There have been cases when the special services agents have contacted parents of study-abroad students with a request to inquire when the child will return home.
Parents are also warned that it is undesirable for their children to find employment abroad.
Migrant workers whose children remain in the care of family members will be advised that relatives will have official custody of the children. Otherwise they will be considered neglected children and be transferred to orphanages.
As of today these restrictions have not been introduced. It is likely that some of them will be imposed in August.
In any case, if all or some of the proposed restrictions are imposed, this will take place happen before the borders are re-opened and air services with other countries are resumed, a source told “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”.The post Turkmenistan considers tightening foreign travel procedures first appeared on Chronicles of Turkmenistan.