Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Turkmenistan
| Publisher | Child Soldiers International |
| Publication Date | 2001 |
| Cite as | Child Soldiers International, Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Turkmenistan, 2001, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/498805c4c.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Mainly covers the period June 1998 to April 2001 as well as including some earlier information.
- Population:
– total: 4,384,000
– under-18s: 1,953,000 - Government armed forces:
– active: 17,500 - Compulsory recruitment age: 18
- Voluntary recruitment age: 18 (unclear)
- Child soldiers: unknown
- CRC-OP-CAC: not signed
- Other treaties ratified: CRC; GC/API+II
- It is not known if there are under-18s in government armed forces due to lack of information on voluntary recruitment age.
GOVERNMENT National Recruitment Legislation and Practice
Conscription is enshrined in Article 38 of the constitution which states that "the defence of Turkmenistan shall be a sacred duty of each person. Male citizens of Turkmenistan shall be subjected to universal army service."1961 The minimum age for recruitment into the armed forces is reportedly 18 years of age,1962 but it is not clear if this applies to voluntary recruitment also. The length of military service is variously claimed to be two years1963 or 18 months.1964
In 1998, the government announced plans to strengthen the armed forces by increasing numbers to around 100,000 and improving training.1965 There have been reports of corruption, draft evasion and desertion in the armed forces.1966 Conscientious objectors to military service are sentenced to prison terms.1967
One source has reported that there has been no recruitment of children under 18 in Turkmenistan.1968
There are several military schools in the country, including a recently-established Air Force faculty and a Military Institute of the Defence Ministry which trains officers. No information has been obtained on the minimum age for entry into these institutions.1969
1961 Blaustein and Flanz, op. cit.
1962 CIA World Factbook 1997; information provided by confidential source that requests confidentiality.
1963 IISS, op. cit.
1964 Report of the Secretary-General, UN Doc. E/CN.4/1997/99, op. cit.
1965 "Turkmen head on low order and discipline in armed forces", BBC Monitoring Service, 22/9/98.
1966 Ibid.; "Turkmen head addresses defence Ministry's top brass for efficient army", BBC Monitoring Service, 28/5/99.
1967 AI Report 2000.
1968 Information provided by a confidential source that requests confidentiality, 3/00.
1969 "Turkmen Air Force faculty set up", BBC Monitoring Service, 18/11/99; "Turkmen army staff training abroad to be recalled for training at home", BBC Monitoring Service, 2/2/99; "Turkmenbashi urges young officers to protect country's interests", BBC Monitoring Service, 24/6/99.
