WASHINGTON (RNS) An independent federal watchdog group announced May 11 that Uzbekistan has been added to its annual list of countries that have "engaged in or tolerated systematic and egregious violations" of religious freedom.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) also reaffirmed its 2004 recommendations that the State Department designate Burma, the People's Republic of China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan and Vietnam as countries of particular concern.
Uzbekistan made the list because since it gained independence in 1992, the Uzbek government has not upheld fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion, said Preeta D. Bansal, chairwoman of the commission. The report said the government has strictly regulated Islamic practice through a Muslim Spiritual Board and has closed about 3,000 out of 5,000 mosques.
E-Mail
Printer-friendly
