Christians in Uzbekistan Say Persecution will Only Get Worse with New Leader
ICC NOTE: According to an Uzbek church leader who spoke with World Watch Monitor, he does not see any real change to occur once the new leader takes office. In fact there is the fear it will only get worse for Christians in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is listed in the top 17 of the worst places to live as a Christian as well as being one of three Central Asian countries considered a country of particular concern by the U.S. State Department.
9/7/2016 Uzbekistan (World Watch Monitor) – An Uzbek church leader has said he fears life will be even harder for minority Christians after the death of Islam Karimov, the country’s President since 1989.
Karimov, who was installed during the Soviet era, was eventually confirmed to have died on 2 September, after a week of speculation following his admission to hospital.
The current Prime Minister, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is the favourite to take over. But the appointment of one of Karimov’s leading supporters, who has served as his Prime Minister since 2003, would be unlikely to herald much of a change in the way Uzbekistan is run – not least with regard to its tight rein on how religion can be practised.
“If Mirziyoyev becomes the next President, the persecution of Christians will be even worse,” predicted the pastor, who did not wish to be named. “Actually, as it seems, it was he who initiated or was at least involved in the persecution of the Uzbek Protestant Church and converts from a Muslim background.”
“I don’t expect drastic changes,” said an Uzbek Protestant, who also wished to remain anonymous. “Christians in Uzbekistan will continue to experience harassment by the government.”
Uzbekistan is by far the most populous Central Asian country, with more than 30 million people – twice as many as the second-largest country in the region, Kazakhstan. It is generally considered to have the most restrictive laws in Central Asia. Sanctions on religious literature are particularly stringent. Religious books must be read in designated areas only, such as registered church buildings. Fines are hefty and regularly issued.