sects have allegedly been harassed, imprisoned, and/or tortured, according to some foreign human-rights advocacy groups. Corruption continues to be pervasive. Power is concentrated in the presidency; the judiciary is wholly subservient to the régime, with all judges appointed for five-year terms by the president without legislative review. Little has been done to prosecute corrupt officials. With regard to the legal profession, while law practice may be conducted in Turkmenistan in assorted ways (collegium of lawyers, lawyers' association, private practice, etc.), there is no clear indication as to how certain demographic groups, such as women, have fared in the field. The United Nations General Assembly recognized and supported Turkmenistan's "status of permanent neutrality" on 11 January 1996. New constitution of 2008 In September 2008 the People's Council unanimously passed a resolution adopting a new constitution. The latter resulted in the abolition of the council and a significant increase in the size of Parliament in December 2008. The constitution also enables the formation of multiple political parties. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow has stated that "The new constitution corresponds to all international and democratic norms". National Leader appointed 2023 As of 21 January 2023 President Serdar Berdimuhamedow appointed his father and predecessor, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, chairperson of the reformed People's Council of Turkmenistan with the title "National Leader of the Turkmen People" (). State media referred to the People's Council as the "supreme organ of government authority". Outside observers consider that the presidency has been stripped of all real authority so that it can be transferred to the National Leader, who is now the genuine chief executive of government. One commentator stated that this makes Turkmenistan an "absolute monarchy." Freedom of association Formally, according to the constitution, citizens of Turkmenistan have the right to set up political parties and other public associations, acting within the framework of the constitution and the laws, and public associations and groups of citizens have the right to nominate their candidates in accordance with the election law. Current members of the Cabinet of Ministers Leaders of Turkmenistan since 1924 Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic (1924–1991) First secretaries of the Turkmen Communist Party Ivan Mezhlauk (19 November 1924 – 1926) (acting to 20 February 1925) Shaymardan Ibragimov (June 1926 – 1927) Nikolay Paskutsky (1927–1928) Grigory Aronshtam (11 May 1928 – August 1930) Yakov Popok (August 1930 – 15 April 1937) Anna Muhamedov (April – October 1937) (acting) Yakov Chubin (October 1937 –