November 2023

Welcome to Caspian Voices, Crude Accountability's monthly newsletter for scholars, policy-makers, and civil society members.

In this edition, we continue our campaign for the immediate and unconditional release of our dear friend and colleague, Gubad Ibadoghlu, naming the authorities who are directly responsible for his arbitrary arrest. We also shared two new blog reports on the Middle Corridor and greenwashing in Azerbaijan. Additionally, our latest paper on Turkmenistan's prison system appeared on multiple media outlets.

Join us in uncovering narratives, promoting transparency, and advocating for environmental justice in the Caspian and Black Sea regions, and beyond.

Southern Kazakhstan facing Kyrgyzstan. AdobeStock

Who is Responsible for the Arbitrary Detention of Gubad Ibadoghlu?

It has been 18 weeks since Gubad Ibadoghlu's was arrested and detained. As we mount pressure on the Azerbaijani government for his immediate and unconditional release, we've also called out the authorities responsible for his abusive treatment.

Scroll our Twitter/X or Facebook feeds to learn more about the people directly responsible for Gubad Ibadoghlu's suffering in the detention facility.

Please share, and use the hashtag #freegubad to raise awareness of his case.

The Middle Corridor: Insiders and Corruption

Our new blog post uncovers the alleged corruption behind the Aktau Modernization Project, backed by the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development.

Read the blog here.

Azerbaijan’s Hydrocarbon Industry Greenwashing

In our newest blog entry, we examine how new renewable development projects in Azerbaijan serve the fossil fuel industry and are used to greenwash hydrocarbons.

Read the blog here.

Universal Periodic Review of Turkmenistan

On November 6th, 2023, Crude Accountability presented at a side event in anticipation of the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Turkmenistan.

We focused the remarks on the persistent issue of enforced disappearances in Turkmenistan - an extensively documented and egregious human rights violation.

Watch the recording of our remarks here.

Turkmenistan's Prison System

Our report with Omanos Analytics, "Turkmenistan's Prison System: Satellite Show What the Turkmen Government Will Not" was covered by Radio Free Europe's Turkmen Service and shared by Progres Foundation. Check each article out:

New report exposes horrors of Turkmenistan's grim prison system, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

“Crude Accountability”: Täze hasabat Türkmenistanyň garaňky türme ulgamynyň elhençliklerini paş edýär, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Diňle: Täze hasabat Türkmenistanyň garaňky türme ulgamynyň elhençliklerini paş edýär, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Türkmenistanyň türme ulgamynyň elhençlikleri aýan edildi, Progres Foundation

To learn more and read our report in full, click here.