Jennifer Lopez is reportedly set to perform at the birthday for the leader of an authoritarian regime in Central Asia.
The singer and former American Idol judge will appear at the celebration for Turkmenistan leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, Agence France-Presse reports, citing a cultural ministry official in the country.
The performance was organized by China National Petroleum Corporation, which does business with Turkmenistan, a CNPC official told the AFP.
“Turkmenistan remains one of the world’s most repressive countries,” wrote the advocacy organization Human Rights Watch in a January 2012 report summary on the nation.”Turkmenistan continues to expand relations with foreign governments and international organizations, but without meaningful outcomes for human rights.”
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The C.I.A.’s World Factbook notes that Turkmenistan’s government “defines itself as a secular democracy and a presidential republic; in actuality displays authoritarian presidential rule.”
Lopez’s last album, ‘Love?,’ debuted with 83,000 copies sold in its first week in May, 2011. The singer’s website lists a single upcoming tour date, July 14 at Hyde Park in London.