Ministry for National Security (Turkmenistan)

Turkmenistan
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The Ministry for National Security or MNB (In Turkmen: Türkmenistanyň Milli howpsuzlyk ministrilgi) is an intelligence agency for the government of Turkmenistan. It is composed largely of the remnants of KGB organs left over after the collapse of the Soviet Union; its functions remain largely the same as well. The KNB and the national police force are under the direction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs^[1]

Until 2002 was known as KNB - The Committee for National Security.

Human Rights Concerns

Amnesty International has claimed that the MNB has persecuted Turkmens for their religious beliefs, and that only members of the Russian Orthodox Church and Sunni Muslims are tolerated.^[2] Human Rights Watch has asserted that the KNB has repeatedly imprisoned and harassed political opponents. Both organizations cite the use of torture by KNB agents.^[3]

See also

• Human rights in Turkmenistan
• Intelligence (information gathering)
• KGB
• List of intelligence agencies

References

1. ↑ Curtis, Glen (1996-03-01). "Library of Congress Country Study: Turkmenistan". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2007-10-26. 
2. ↑ "Fear for safety; torture/ill-treatment" (PDF). Open letter to gov't officials in Turkmenistan (Press release). Amnesty International. 2000-12-05. Retrieved 2007-10-26. 
3. ↑ "Human Rights Developments". Human Rights Watch. 1999. Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2007-10-26.