What does Siemens have to do with the Ruhnama?
A very interesting press release issued by the FreedomForSale.org international human rights organization was republished by the Turkmen oppositionist website www.chrono-tm.org. The organization’s website tells us more about its activity:
FreedomForSale website highlights grievances in human rights and free speech issues in different countries. At the same time the website describes, questions and monitors international corporations that seem to support or ignore violations of human rights and free speech. Our intention is to encourage discussion and have an impact on how different countries, companies, and individuals take on their responsibilities as humanity’s custodians.
Turkmenistan was the first country to be targeted by the recently set up organization. Conclusions drawn from the first monitoring action are very critical as regards foreign corporations operating in Turkmenistan. The most criticized company was Siemens.
Siemens has openly supported the Ruhnama book in Turkmenistan, written by the late dictator Saparmurat Niyazov. Ruhnama has destroyed the Turkmen education system, and has been the dictatorship’s central element of manipulation. By supporting the publication of the book, international companies gain access to good business in oil-and-gas rich Turkmenistan. According to many sources, Siemens has provided and installed an eavesdropping system for the Turkmen state by which they have been able to arrest and jail many dissidents and opposition members. The system has enabled the state to spy on foreign embassies and international organisations.
In January 2008, FreedomForSale.org is to investigate the French companyBouygues , which has several construction projects in Turkmenistan. Results of the investigation will probably be similar. It is unlikely that either Siemens or any other company functioning in Turkmenistan support the dictatorship and human rights violations. They just try to adjust to the country’s reality, assuming that “business is business”.
However, there are certain bounds of decency that even the income-driven companies should not overstep.
on December 10th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Well, we can find many more accomplices. Why only Siemens and why now? It has been going on for a while. What’s wrong with supporting the book? I guess it was the most ethical way to do business in my country. Do we know how much they paid in bribes to the government? There is nothing to read in Turkmenistan.