Turkmen mothers with many children subject to criminal record checks to receive benefits
Turkmen mothers with large households now subject to criminal record checks in order to receive benefits
05.03.2025
Article published on the rus.ozodlik.org website
According to Radio Azatlyk, the Balkan velayat (province) has tightened up the requirements for mothers with large households to receive the honorary title of “Ene Myahri” (Mother’s Love). As well as having eight or more children, mothers now have to pass the “uch arka” test and produce a three generation genealogy certificate to prove that none of their relatives has a criminal record.
“A woman who has eight to twelve children will not be eligible for the title of Ene Myahri if she has a relative in three previous generations who has a criminal record”, said a source from the velayat section of the Women’s Association. Mothers with large households have started to take the uch arka test in recent weeks, following the introduction of this new rule at the start of the year.
According to the source, the Women’s Association have received an instruction from “on high”. Under this verbal decree, the velayat Pension Fund is obliged to review all the documents of women who are applying for the title and to prepare the certificates for the uch arka check.
The title Ene Myahri is traditionally awarded in Turkmenistan every year to celebrate International Women’s Day. President Serdar Berdimukhamedov signed a directive to that effect on 28 February. The winners are presented with a badge of honour, a certificate, as well as keys to new housing or plots of land.
Female residents of the Balkan velayat confirmed that women with eight or more children began collecting the necessary documentation for this year’s uch arka test in early February. “We need certificates for each child from the velayat Pension Fund, the khyakimlika (mayor’s office), the address bureau and police archives to confirm the absence of any criminal record. We then fill out the forms for the uch arka check. We were told this year that the award will only be given to those who have completely clean records over three generations”, said one of the mothers on condition of anonymity.
The uch arka certificate contains information on the presence or lack of a criminal record among the woman’s relatives over three generations. Mothers with large households have expressed disappointment that this new requirement will make it more difficult to obtain new housing or a plot of land. “Every third family has relatives who have criminal prosecutions or served a prison sentence. These people and their relatives are consequently denied the opportunity of working in public office, law enforcement agencies or being awarded State honours”, said the woman.
The uch arka test has long been used in Turkmenistan to identify those considered untrustworthy by the authorities. It is used for those seeking employment in law enforcement agencies and medical institutions, for citizens wishing to buy property in Arkadag, travelling abroad and taking part in public events. Local observers believe that this practice, which has been in effect for 25 years, is an affront to people’s dignity and runs contrary to the country’s Constitution, which guarantees equal rights among its citizens.
The official prize-winning ceremony for the title of Ene Myahri, as well as the award of badges, certificates and keys for new housing, is scheduled for 7 March.
