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I can relate. I was a citizen of Turkmenistan, which is even more opressive than Uzbekistan. It's one of the most closed countries in the world on par with Nort

I can relate. I was a citizen of Turkmenistan, which is even more opressive than Uzbekistan. It's one of the most closed countries in the world on par with North Korea (or worse). If you're interested, you can read a good travel report from a Russian blogger (translated into English) [0]. So yeah, I totally agree that citizenship/passport of a free (or relatively free) country can be one of the greatest assets that you can have in your life. [0] http://varlamov.ru/1740845.html http://varlamov.ru/1740845.html

hal9000xp 10y ago
Yes, I'm aware of situation in Turkmenistan. I left Uzbekistan when I was 22 years old (i.e. I lived there pretty long time) and heard about Turkmenistan government. Turkmenistan for me is kinda mystery because they have a lot of natural gas and they could become pretty rich and developed country (kinda UAE). But they didn't. They got very weird dictator instead. Yes, I read this blog already. Is it difficult to leave Turkmenistan? Do you have some variant of exit visas? There are very few information about this country on the internet.
- nbaksalyar 10y ago
  > Do you have some variant of exit visas? Exit visas were cancelled around 2006 or 2007. > Is it difficult to leave Turkmenistan? It depends on your situation. For some people it's not too dificult, for some it's impossible. I've witnessed Canadian/Turkmen dual citizen was denied to leave the country until she cancel her Canadian or Turkmeni citizenship (which takes about 6+ months). If you oppose the government they can arbitrarily prohibit you from leaving the country for an arbitrary length of time (read: until the government is changed). And "opposing the government" can be taken very liberally: it can be even a slight criticizing comment in a social network (those are blocked anyway, though). > I left Uzbekistan when I was 22 years old We have a lot in common. ;) I left at the same age and I regret I didn't do it earlier.

hal9000xp 10y ago

Yes, I'm aware of situation in Turkmenistan. I left Uzbekistan when I was 22 years old (i.e. I lived there pretty long time) and heard about Turkmenistan government. Turkmenistan for me is kinda mystery because they have a lot of natural gas and they could become pretty rich and developed country (kinda UAE). But they didn't. They got very weird dictator instead. Yes, I read this blog already. Is it difficult to leave Turkmenistan? Do you have some variant of exit visas? There are very few information about this country on the internet.

nbaksalyar 10y ago
> Do you have some variant of exit visas? Exit visas were cancelled around 2006 or 2007. > Is it difficult to leave Turkmenistan? It depends on your situation. For some people it's not too dificult, for some it's impossible. I've witnessed Canadian/Turkmen dual citizen was denied to leave the country until she cancel her Canadian or Turkmeni citizenship (which takes about 6+ months). If you oppose the government they can arbitrarily prohibit you from leaving the country for an arbitrary length of time (read: until the government is changed). And "opposing the government" can be taken very liberally: it can be even a slight criticizing comment in a social network (those are blocked anyway, though). > I left Uzbekistan when I was 22 years old We have a lot in common. ;) I left at the same age and I regret I didn't do it earlier.