Freedom of religion in Uzbekistan

The Constitution of Uzbekistan provides for freedom of religion and separation of church and state, although in practice this is not always the case. There is no restriction on mainstream religious practice by Muslims, Jews and Christians. Uzbek society is tolerant of Christian churches as long as they do not attempt to win converts among ethnic Uzbeks; the law prohibits or severely restricts proselytizing, importing and disseminating religious literature, and offering private religious instruction.

Using new criminal statutes enacted in 2006, criminal charges were brought against two pastors. One was sentenced to 4 years in a labor camp; the other received a suspended sentence and probation. The government has waged a campaign against Islamic groups suspected of extremism, sentencing members of these groups to lengthy jail terms. Many were suspected members of Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT), a banned extremist Islamic political movement, the banned Islamic group Akromiya (Akromiylar), or Wahhabi groups. A Pentecostal deacon was beaten after his church was featured in a documentary on state television against Christian evangelicals.

Since the election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has enjoyed greater religious freedom and the country was removed from an American list of problematic countries for religious tolerance.^[1]