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  Turkmenistan is the southernmost republic of the former Soviet Union. The country was conquered by the Mongols in the thirteenth century before being seized by Russia in the late nineteenth century. With the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, it became an independent republic. Saparmurat Niyazov, the former head of the Communist Party, was the sole candidate for president of the new republic when the main opposition was banned.
In the 1994 parliamentary elections, only the former Communist Party, the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan (DPT) was allowed to field candidates. In the 1999 elections, every candidate was selected by the government, virtually all from the DPT. The parliament unanimously voted to make Niyazov president for life. Since 1996, the people of Turkmenistan have lived under highly restrictive laws that allow only two religious communities to register; the Sunni Muslim Board and the Russian Orthodox Church. On March 11, 2004, President Saparmurat Niyazov announced that most restrictions on church registrations would be dropped. However, this did not prevent further persecution. While some church groups have been able to register, they continue to face serious restrictions on where they can worship. They also face a ban on the printing and importing of religious literature. Raids on church groups meeting outside of approved locations have been documented. Those who meet in homes risk fines, imprisonment and eviction from their homes. Building a new place of worship is impossible for those who are not registered and the government has confiscated or destroyed many churches. Several national pastors have been exiled, beaten up, heavily fined and imprisoned. According to Forum 18, on August 4, 2004, six secret police officers raided a private home in the town of Abadan where a small group of Baptists were meeting for Bible study and prayer. Even though the church had received official registration on June 25, the police officers confiscated all of their Bibles and hymnals and ordered them to not undertake any religious activities in the town. On July 30, 2005, plain clothes officers broke up the Sunday morning worship of a registered Baptist congregation in the eastern town of Mary. One of the officers identified himself as Eziz Agaev from the anti-terrorism and organized crime department. Those present were videotaped and then taken to the police station where men, women and children were interrogated. The church insists that it is covered under its denominational registration, but the police demanded that they sign statements agreeing that they were meeting illegally and would no longer attend services. In addition to the laws governing religious practices, Christians face a new threat under the personality cult, “Turkmenbashi,” meaning “Father of the Turkmens.” President Niyazov’s promotion of himself as supreme authority echoes the self glorification of King Nebuchadnezzar of the Bible. A golden statue that always rotates to follow the sun has been erected. There is pressure to quote his writings along with the reading of the Bible, and a monument has been raised in honour of his “wisdom.” One official said in 2000 that his book, “Rukhnama” (Book of the Soul) makes up shortcomings in the Bible and the Koran. On July 1, 2005, President Saparmurat Niyazov issued a declaration that, "we have one religion and unique traditions and customs, and there is no need for people to look beyond these." After that declaration, there was increased pressure on religious minorities in this predominantly Muslim country. Prayer Requests
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