World Watch List 2010:

#10. Uzbekistan

The religious freedom in Uzbekistan has deteriorated during the last period. The atmosphere has become more anti-Protestant. This became apparent in an increase in raids and confiscation of literature.

Many Christians were arrested and fined. Many Christian leaders were interrogated and physically and mentally harassed at police stations, where they were held for varying lengths of time. Furthermore, relatives of Christians used physical abuse to pressure Christians to convert to Islam.

Another sign of the changing situation is that the authorities used the media to slander Christians. They showed a popular movie on television, which was originally broadcast in May 2008, named "In the Clutches of Ignorance." In that movie Christians were portrayed in a negative way and they were even identified with sects and described as Satanists. Active Christians were accused of using drugs and finances in order to win people to Christianity. The TV program also focused on how the Protestant "sects" deceive children. The program was repeated several times (most recently in September 2009) and produced on DVD. The impact was very intimidating. This resulted in an active anti-Christian promotion.

In spite of the persecution, the church in Uzbekistan continues to grow. Many Christians are actively looking for ways to reach others with the gospel. Uzbek Christians face many obstacles, as singing and preaching in the Uzbek language is prohibited and Uzbek Christian fellowships cannot obtain registration. Without registration, their meetings are illegal. The situation for Christians remains difficult.

About the Church (Persecution: Severe limitations)

The Religion Law was adopted in 1992, requiring all religious communities to register themselves, and it is almost impossible process for the Protestant church. Unregistered religious activities are illegal and punishable under the Criminal Code. Indigenous Uzbek and Karakalpak churches have never received registration yet from the authorities.
Many of the cell group leaders in Karakalpakstan, the autonomous republic in the North West of Uzbekistan, are constantly being monitored and followed by police and security services. This makes it very hard for them to function.
Indigenous church leaders are often questioned by the police.
Christians face intimidation, threats, fines, and being expelled from their workplace or residence.
Imprisonment is common for Christians, and they can be sentenced for a few weeks or up to several years.
Importing literature and in-country publishing is highly censured and monitored and Christian literature is regularly confiscated.
Anyone involved in distributing Christian literature faces large fines or imprisonment.
There is negative propaganda played by local and national television programs which puts more pressure on Christians.
Community leaders pressure Christians by cutting off water supplies or electricity to force them from a village, or to get them to renounce their faith.
There is a growing influence of Islam in the country.

Examples of Persecution:

Pastor of a legally registered church, Dmitry Shestakov was arrested for illegal religious practices and was sentenced four years detention in a closed labor camp. SRS: Uzbekistan-Update for David and Marina Shestakov (16 January 2009)
Regularly houses of Christians or churches are raided by the police who are looking for Christian literature or the leaders of house groups. During the year 2009 many of them have been interrogated and fined for 'illegal religious activities'. Literature and Christian materials have been confiscated and sometimes burned.
Local 'mahalla' committees put pressure on Christians to deny Christ or to leave the village. This happened to Claire*, the mother of a young pastor. The son was asked to come to the committee, but his mother decided to go instead of him. In the meeting many of the residents of the district wanted this family to leave the village. They shouted and yelled at Claire* and she was blamed for betraying the faith of her parents. However, some of the neighbours stood up for her and her family. After the meeting Claire* got sick and her blood pressure was very high.
Even registered churches in the country are not free from police raids. Four members of the Donam church in Tashkent were arrested and detained for 15 days. The men were held in a detention centre with 10 - 15 people in a small cell, sleeping on a wooden floor.

The role of Open Doors:

Open Doors provided biblical materials and training to believers in Uzbekistan.
Open Doors also contributed to community development projects and social services.

Quotes:

"The government doesn't want to allow such political unrest and revival; that's why they want to oppress any form of freedom," said a pastor.
"We see that our government wants to intimidate many people. After this [TV] program, the persecution and pressure from the side of family and at the work place intensified for Christians. Right after this program, my father, who is Muslim, called me ... He was afraid of the shame if people learnt that his daughter is a Christian."

Prayer Points:

For the Christians - around 150 - who were arrested last year, some of whom are still in jail
For unity, integrity and godly leadership in the Church
That church members, mostly in rural areas where poverty and lack of healthcare is common, will know God's strength and provision for their needs.