Uzbekistan: Christians facing discrimination under the law

Rozalina Abyazova from Tashkent Region is trying to challenge in Uzbekistan’s Supreme Court a fine handed down for allegedly involving her 12-year-old son in “illegal” religious education. Her petition points out that her son was only taking art lessons with two women who happen to be members of a Protestant congregation. The women and five other parents were also fined.

Elsewhere, three Protestant women in Fergana Region of eastern Uzbekistan are similarly preparing to challenge fines given to them by a local court merely for discussing their faith with each other. The NSS secret police referred the case to court alleging that the three women “illegally taught the Christian religion to each other”. And a Protestant from Tashkent Region has been denied an exit visa.