Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Oct. 1 / Trend H.Hasanov /
Our citizens have the right to form political parties and public associations in the framework of the national legislation, the local media quoted Turkmen President Gurbangulu Berdimuhammedov as saying.
"The Turkmen Constitution guarantees the equality of rights and freedoms of citizens irrespective of nationality, race, sex, religion, etc., including, regardless of political beliefs and party affiliation," he said.
The basic law stipulates the right of political parties (as well as NGOs) to nominate candidates for elections.
"But there is, of course, certain restrictions ...," Berdimuhammedov said.
He said that the law prohibits the establishment and operation of political parties based on ethnic or religious grounds or who aim to change the constitutional system, advocating war, racial, ethnic or religious hatred
But Berdimuhammedov noted that "the creation of new parties - is quite serious issue, which requires a thoughtful and responsible approach".
"The state does not preclude, but rather welcomes the establishment of political parties and private newspapers, most importantly - that they helped to harmonious development of our society on the basis of the inherent spiritual values of the Turkmen people," Berdimuhammedov said.
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