Displaying items by tag: freedom to believe

Uzbekistan has an ‘Administrative Code’ which states it is illegal to produce, store, or import religious materials into Uzbekistan. ‘Proselytisation’ and other missionary activity is illegal, and people are being arrested for sharing their beliefs. The latest trial for this offence was on 23 July when two Jehovah's Witnesses were on trial for talking about their faith. Also, police acted illegally during their arrests, and a male police officer searched the bodies of women. Police, prosecution officials and the judge refused to answer questions from Forum 18 - a proponent for religious freedom - about their actions, and refused to explain why the state insists that state permission is necessary to exercise fundamental human rights such as the freedom of religion and belief. Islam is the largest religion in Uzbekistan, and there are still 34 people groups (55.7% of the population) that have not yet heard the gospel. See: https://joshuaproject.net/countries/UZ