(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Co-Chairmen of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), will hold a briefing entitled, “Turkmenistan: Prospect for Change?,” on Wednesday, November 19 at 2:00 p.m. in room B-318 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

On December 14, Turkmenistan will hold its first national election since the passage of a new constitution and election law earlier this year. Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimukhammedov raised hopes for reform when he came into power two years ago, following years of dictatorship under his predecessor, President Saparmurat Niyazov. The briefing will examine if in fact the country is moving toward change, and whether the new legislative framework will result in real reform for its upcoming parliamentary election.

Panelists include:

Ambassador George Krol, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Department of State

Dr. Eric McGlinchey, Assistant Professor, Department of Public and International Affairs, George Mason University

Mr. Anthony Bowyer, Program Manager, Caucasus and Central Asia IFES

Ms. Cathy Fitzpatrick, Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights