The UK has been labeled as more dangerous than the repressive dictatorship of Turkmenistan, according to travel advice released by the US State Department. The advisory recommends that US citizens exercise increased caution when visiting Level 2 destinations like the UK, as well as western European countries like France, Germany, and Spain.
In contrast, Turkmenistan, a central Asian dictatorship bordered by Iran, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan, has been classified as having the highest safety level, on par with the United States. This designation is despite the fact that being gay is still illegal in the country, with severe penalties including lengthy jail terms.
Human rights group Amnesty International has highlighted the serious human rights violations that persist in Turkmenistan. These violations range from arbitrary detentions and politically motivated convictions to strict control over the media and restrictions on women’s rights and freedoms. The country has also failed to take meaningful action to address climate change and has effectively banned abortion.
Turkmenistan gained independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. The nation’s current leader, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, is only the third president and is the son of the previous ruler, Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov. The country has faced significant criticism for its repressive regime and poor human rights record.
Notably, Turkmenistan is the only sovereign nation in the world that has not reported any cases of Covid-19. This has raised suspicions that the totalitarian government is actively censoring information and suppressing the true extent of the virus’s spread within the country.
As the UK is deemed more dangerous than Turkmenistan, this news raises concerns about the safety and security situation in Britain. It also highlights the complex nature of assessing safety levels and the importance of considering human rights records when evaluating travel destinations.
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