Young Turkmen face beard ban - GoFuckYourself.com

DVTimes · 02-26-2004, 06:16 AM

Young Turkmen face beard ban
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/3486776.stm
Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov has passed a decree forbidding young men in the country to wear long hair or beards.
The president said the Education Ministry should be in charge of checking people's hair as the issue was most pressing among the young.

Mr Niyazov's rule in the central Asian state has always been authoritarian.

But his latest decree takes to a new level the degree of state intervention in people's private lives.

President Niyazov appeared on television saying that men can no longer grow their hair and that beards are not allowed, at least among the young.

He gave no reason - but that is not unusual in Turkmenistan.

In this part of the world, rulings on hair are generally connected to Islam in some way, but it seems likely that Mr Niyazov's decree is more broadly directed against individualism of any kind.

Isolated

The goatee beard is currently in vogue in the capital, Ashgabat, and these will probably be the first to be shaved off.

Mr Niyazov's laws are becoming more and more personal.

It is forbidden now to listen to car radios or to smoke in the street; opera and ballet performances have been banned on the grounds that they are unnecessary.

The rules invite comparison between Turkmenistan and Albania in the 1970s under Enver Hoxha, who also made great lists of things illegal, including beards.

President Niyazov has moreover just brought in a ruling that public places and government ministries should have video monitors for, he said, the protection of the people.

Turkmenistan is ever more cut off from the outside world, and there are few checks and balances against Mr Niyazov's style of government.

On Sunday he is to fire 15,000 nurses and other health workers and replace them with army conscripts.

cluck · 02-26-2004, 06:17 AM

The world is crazy

Angie · 02-26-2004, 06:20 AM

That's the craziest shit I've ever heard.

Makes you realise how lucky you are that you don't live somewhere like that

DVTimes · 02-26-2004, 06:20 AM

Quote:

opera and ballet performances have been banned on the grounds that they are unnecessary.

I think this is the best bit.

Angie · 02-26-2004, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by allanuk
I think this is the best bit.

That's especially fucked up, so personal enjoyment is unecessary?

Michael O · 02-26-2004, 06:40 AM

I saw a documentary on Turkmenistan and the guy running the country is crazy.
A lot of weird laws and like any other dictator his portraits and statues everywhere

02-26-2004, 06:16 AM	#1
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,547	Young Turkmen face beard ban Young Turkmen face beard ban http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/3486776.stm Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov has passed a decree forbidding young men in the country to wear long hair or beards. The president said the Education Ministry should be in charge of checking people's hair as the issue was most pressing among the young. Mr Niyazov's rule in the central Asian state has always been authoritarian. But his latest decree takes to a new level the degree of state intervention in people's private lives. President Niyazov appeared on television saying that men can no longer grow their hair and that beards are not allowed, at least among the young. He gave no reason - but that is not unusual in Turkmenistan. In this part of the world, rulings on hair are generally connected to Islam in some way, but it seems likely that Mr Niyazov's decree is more broadly directed against individualism of any kind. Isolated The goatee beard is currently in vogue in the capital, Ashgabat, and these will probably be the first to be shaved off. Mr Niyazov's laws are becoming more and more personal. It is forbidden now to listen to car radios or to smoke in the street; opera and ballet performances have been banned on the grounds that they are unnecessary. The rules invite comparison between Turkmenistan and Albania in the 1970s under Enver Hoxha, who also made great lists of things illegal, including beards. President Niyazov has moreover just brought in a ruling that public places and government ministries should have video monitors for, he said, the protection of the people. Turkmenistan is ever more cut off from the outside world, and there are few checks and balances against Mr Niyazov's style of government. On Sunday he is to fire 15,000 nurses and other health workers and replace them with army conscripts. __________________ The Affiliate Program

02-26-2004, 06:17 AM	#2
cluck Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,248	The world is crazy __________________ icq 279990726 www.mcdonalds.com <- great money making opportunity

02-26-2004, 06:40 AM	#6
Michael O More Cowbell Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nakhom Nowhere Posts: 10,607	I saw a documentary on Turkmenistan and the guy running the country is crazy. A lot of weird laws and like any other dictator his portraits and statues everywhere __________________ Truth Teller

02-26-2004, 06:20 AM	#3
Angie Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: In The Sun Posts: 460	That's the craziest shit I've ever heard. Makes you realise how lucky you are that you don't live somewhere like that