Despite the death of President Islam Karimov in 2016, Uzbekistan’s authoritarian regime continues to regard Christianity as alien and destabilising. State agencies monitor religious activities through raids, bugging homes, tapping phones, and infiltrating groups. Christian materials, if found, are confiscated, while Christians also face interrogation and detention. Muslim converts to Christianity experience additional pressure from their families and communities to return to Islam.
Uzbek Protestants detained and their religious materials confiscated despite being legal
Uzbek police raided a home where eight Protestants had gathered for a meal, and to read the Bible together, and arrested all of them, Forum 18 reports. The incident took place in the town of Pap, in Uzbekistan’s eastern Namangan Region, on 19 November. Police conducted the raid without a search […]
Uzbekistan says religious freedom ‘progressing’, despite new restrictions
Uzbekistan is progressing towards rapid transformation, including political, economic, and importantly, religious freedom,” said the deputy chairman of the Uzbek Senate yesterday (25 July) at a side event to the first Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom currently being held in Washington DC. “Uzbekistan is progressing towards rapid transformation, including political, […]
Uzbekistan: Five Baptists fined on non-specific charges
Five members of a Baptist church in the southern Uzbek city of Karshi were detained and fined for meeting without state permission, without hearing the exact charges, reports Forum 18. Police also raided the homes of two Baptists, Khamid and Ziyatullo Rakhmonov (not related), on 23 May, and took them […]
UN rapporteur welcomes Uzbekistan’s religious freedom pledge
The UN’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion of Belief has welcomed Uzbekistan’s pledge to implement the recommendations he made in the wake of a visit there in October last year. Uzbekistan has promised to implement 12 recommendations made by Ahmed Shaheed, and has given a timeline for each one, as well […]
Uzbek police accused of targeting Christian women with sexual violence
Women belonging to a Protestant church in the western Uzbek city of Urgench face threats, harassments and sexual violence from local authorities, according to regional news agency Forum 18. The news agency highlighted the case of Nargiza Khusainova, who was reportedly walking in the streets in January when she was […]
Uzbek pastor might face criminal charges after police repeat raids on his home
An Uzbek Baptist pastor, who is already serving at home a two-year sentence for having religious books, might now be facing criminal charges. Police raided Pastor Stanislav Kim’s flat in Urgench, north-western Khorezm Region, twice last month, on Easter Sunday (8 April) and a week later (15 April), while the […]
Uzbek Christians report continued state pressure, despite recent UN criticism
State harassment against Baptists in Uzbekistan has continued despite the UN’s recent criticism of the country’s religious rights records. UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom or Religion or Belief, Ahmed Shaheed, said: “Law changes and a strong political will are needed if Uzbeks are to freely practise their faith” when he […]
In Uzbekistan, religious freedoms ‘not recognised in law and practice’ – UN Special Rapporteur
Law changes and a strong political will are needed if Uzbeks are to freely practise their faith, according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom or Religion or Belief. Ahmed Shaheed presented his findings on 2 March to the Human Rights Council as it meets for its 37th session in […]
Uzbekistan President vows to reform ‘mad dog’ secret police
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has said he will reform the country’s secret police, reports Radio Free Europe (RFERL). Calling members of the security services “mad dogs”, Mirziyoev has accused the SNB (a successor to the Soviet-era KGB) of committing atrocities, targeting innocent people and “exceeding its authority”. The SNB developed […]
Uzbekistan clamps down on Baptists over Bible ownership
Uzbekistan continues to exert control over ownership of Bibles and other religious literature, according to regional news agency Forum 18. In November, police raided the flat of Irina Stepanova in the eastern city of Andijon, claiming to search for a gun. Finding none, they confiscated Bibles, a songbook, Christian magazines, […]