Uzbekistan’s Christian Parents Facing Jail, Fines Over Teaching Children

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By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

TASHKENT/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Uzbekistan’s draft legislation to “further strengthen the rights of children” will lead to government persecution of Christian parents in the former Soviet nation, well-informed sources told Worthy News.

The first reading of the law, which passed through Parliament and will now be reviewed, seeks to punish parents or guardians who allow their children to receive “illegal” religious education before reaching the age of 18.

“While the law is publicly being promoted as a means of restricting militant Islamic training, it’s evident that the repercussions of the new proposed law will affect all faith groups,” in the mainly Muslim nation of 36 million people, warned advocacy group Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC).

Religious education already faces several restrictions in Uzbekistan, but existing laws presently only target those who teach religion to children, Christians told Worthy News.

“Under the new law, however, parents would be subjected to fines and up to 15 days in jail for allowing such teaching,” VOMC noticed.

The government’s Interior Ministry reportedly said the legislation “aims to prevent children from falling under the influence of terrorist groups.”

DRAFT LAW

After Uzbekistan’s legislature recently published the draft law on its website, several commentators quickly condemned it.

“What kind of parents…do not give religious education to their children?” a commentator wondered on social media.

Another social media message questioned the government’s methodology: “What we found is that religious radicalism and fanaticism are on the rise. If [they are] on the rise, shouldn’t religion be taught more deeply? Can bans work?”

VOMC seemed to agree. “While the law is publicly being promoted as a means of restricting militant Islamic training, it’s evident that the repercussions of the new proposed law will affect all faith groups,” the group told Worthy News.

“Many Uzbek citizens have expressed concerns that their right to ‘freedom of religion or belief’ will be further restricted as a result.”

Concerns about religious and Christian freedom were expected to increase pressure on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who seeks closer ties with the European Union.

He was sworn into his second term after winning a landslide in the November 2021 presidential election. In a snap July 2023 presidential election, he successfully requested support for a renewed seven-year term.

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