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Underage schoolgirls forced to take virginity tests to ‘assess morality’ in Turkmenistan

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Underage schoolgirls in Turkmenistan are reportedly being made to take virginity tests to ‘assess their morality’.

Parents told local media they are furious about these compulsory checks, which are done at school by state-approved doctors.

If a girl is found to fail the test, she is to be reported to the police and security services. The girls could then be questioned about their moral standards.

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These tests are being given to girls aged 14 to 18 in the cities of Balkanabat and Turkmenbashi, according to local reports.

One education official, talking anonymously to local media, said: “School children in grades 9 to 11 are forced to undergo gynaecological examinations. During the inspection, girls who have had sexual intercourse are identified, and their lists are transferred to the local police and the Ministry of National Security.”

The government has said these tests are being carried out to help track down adults who have sex with minors. One official said: “This is being done to identify and bring to justice those who have had intimate relationships with minors.”

The tests reportedly come following an increase in teenage pregnancies in the region. Medics around the world have previously slammed so-called virginity tests as intrusive and inaccurate.

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Turkmenistan is a former Soviet country that has been ruled by repressive, totalitarian regimes since it declared its independence in 1991. The age of sexual consent there is 16.

Turkmenistan has been widely criticised by international organisations for human rights abuses. Amnesty International said in a 2022 report: “Serious human rights violations continued unabated across the board, including arbitrary detentions and politically motivated convictions of anyone daring to criticise or challenge official policy. The authorities continued to exercise strict control over the flow of information and all media.

“Turkmenistan failed to take meaningful action to address climate change. Women and girls saw their rights and freedoms, including bodily autonomy, restricted further. Abortion was effectively banned. Consensual sex between men remained a criminal offence.”

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Ukraine alleges N’Korea is sending troops to Russia

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He was speaking days after visiting several European capitals to press his case for more military and financial help in the war against invading Russian forces.

“We see an increasing alliance between Russia and regimes like in North Korea,” Zelensky said in his evening address.

“It is no longer just about transferring weapons. It is actually about the transfer of people from North Korea to the occupier’s military forces.

“Obviously, in such circumstances, our relations with our partners need to be developed. The frontline needs more support,” he said.

Zelensky completed a whirlwind two-day tour of European capitals last week including Berlin, London and Paris to ask for sustained military aid as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine grinds on through its third year.

“When we talk about more long-range capability for Ukraine and more decisive supplies for our forces, it is not just a list of military equipment,” Zelensky said.

“It is about increasing the pressure on the aggressor, which will be stronger for Russia than they can withstand. And it is about preventing a bigger war.”

AFP.

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Kenyan Governor Detained Over Violent Clan Disputes

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A regional governor in Kenya has been taken into custody due to his involvement in clan violence in the Tana River County, where multiple fatalities have occurred.

Dhadho Godhana, along with a local legislator, were arrested separately for failing to comply with summonses regarding the clashes, as stated by the police on Saturday. The accused individuals have not publicly addressed the allegations.

The clashes in southeast Kenya have resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people, leading the authorities to declare two areas in the county as hazardous and insecure for the next 30 days.

According to an official notice from the Interior Ministry, security measures have been intensified in these areas, and residents are prohibited from carrying weapons.

DCI chief Mohamed Amin confirmed that Godhana presented himself at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi on Saturday morning and is being interrogated about the clashes.

Five politicians from Tana River County have been summoned to appear before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on Monday for questioning regarding allegations of instigating conflict between two communities.

Tana River has previously experienced ethnic clashes over disputes about grazing rights, resulting in numerous fatalities.

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North Korea Removed as Observer from Regional Anti-Money Laundering Group

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North Korea has lost its observer status in a regional group that fights money laundering. This decision was announced on Monday by the South Korean foreign ministry. The reason for this action is North Korea’s lack of involvement and its failure to fulfill its responsibilities to the group.

The decision was made unanimously at the 26th general assembly of the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), which convened last Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates.

The South Korean ministry released a statement explaining the outcome.

Established in 1997, the APG is an intergovernmental body dedicated to enforcing international standards against money laundering and combatting terrorism financing, including preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

The group currently consists of 42 member states, including key global powers such as the United States, Japan, China, and South Korea, which joined in 1998.

North Korea gained observer status in the APG in July 2014. However, it was warned by the group that its continued lack of engagement would lead to disqualification. The North failed to meet even the minimal requirements to retain its status, prompting the members to endorse the revocation.

To maintain its observer status, a country is required to permit visits from APG delegations, facilitate information exchange, and cooperate with the group in publishing regular reports on the nation’s anti-money laundering efforts. The APG found that North Korea had not participated in the group’s activities for six consecutive years, nor had it responded to any of the group’s attempts to establish contact.

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In response, North Korea issued a statement through its state-run Chosun Central News Agency on October 3rd, protesting the APG’s decision. The regime claimed the APG had become a “puppet group” serving the interests of the United States and suggested the move was a result of America’s continued “hostile policy” towards the country.

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