Uzbekistan And The Freedom Of Religion

“Since Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991, its government has systematically and egregiously violated freedom of religion or belief, as well as other human rights.” The US commission on International Religious Freedom said in its report in 2013.

It was estimated that  Uzbekistan has from 5,000 to 10,000 prisoners of conscience.

The commission said Uzbekistan should not receive US military equipment or aid unless it shows real respect for religious freedoms and organisations responsible for gross violations of freedom of religion should not be included in a list of recipients.

In 2003, in response to the worsening human rights situation, Washington stopped military aid to Uzbekistan but at the beginning of 2012 the Obama administration cancelled this embargo.
On 18 January 2012 US State Secretary Hillary Clinton signed a decree to send non-lethal military equipment to Uzbekistan.
The document is in force only until September 2013 when it should be renewed and revised every six months.

 

 

 

Uzbekistan´s Imprisoned Human Rights Defenders