In the latest human rights blow to a Central Asian nation dominated by Soviet-style oppression, Uzbek officials are proposing tougher measures against Uzbek citizens practicing their religion. Under a proposal revealed by the Uzbek government's Religious Affairs Committee in August, massive fines and imprisonment will await anyone who shares religious convictions with another person outside of an officially sanctioned house of worship. Under the new plan, through which officials say individual religious leaders will be held accountable for the actions of those in their congregations, a first offense would earn the guilty party a fine between 200 and 600 times the minimum monthly wage of about $10, while repeat offenses would land offenders -- and their religious leaders -- in prison for three to eight years. Officials have not said when the new provisions may be imposed. Human rights defenders condemned the move as being in direct conflict with Uzbekistan's commitments under international law. A signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Uzbekistan is required under Article 18 to protect its peoples' "right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; . . . and freedom, either alone or in community with others in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."
Uzbekistan Continues Crackdown on Religious Freedom
