Kristne ledere er spesielt utsatt, og kan bli bøtelagt, arrestert eller nektet utreise fra landet. Kristne menn får ofte problemer på arbeidsmarkedet, og konvertitter er spesielt utsatt.
Church leaders, most of whom are men, are often subject to persecution at the hands of the authorities. Typically, they are fined, detained, denied exit visas to leave the country or put under house arrest. Reasons for fines include holding illegal meetings, possessing Christian literature or even having songs on a smartphone.
Outside the church, Christian men can be overlooked for promotion in the workplace, and businessmen who follow Jesus can face intense surveillance by the authorities and obstruction from local Muslims. The financial hardship caused by persecution can be crippling for families, who rely on men to put food on the table.
Converts to the Christian faith are also vulnerable to abuse in the workplace. Compulsory military service can expose Christian men to further harassment and hostility.
Although Uzbekistan has dropped three places from last year’s World Watch List ranking, life as a Christian in the country remains hugely challenging. Believers continue to face enormous pressure from families and communities, and imposing government restrictions greatly affect church life and witness. However, there were fewer reports of violent incidents compared with last year.
It is unclear yet whether President Mirziyoyev, who came to power in 2016 after the death of long-time leader Islam Karimov, will bring in any policy changes that will affect Christians.
The decision to leave Islam and follow Jesus can be an enormously costly one, paving the way for harassment and intimidation from family, friends and the local community. The risk is heightened for many women who, given societal expectations around submission, are effectively not allowed to choose their own religion. Church leaders are also targeted for persecution; they can be fined, detained or put under house arrest for their involvement in Christian activities.
Open Doors strengthens the persecuted church in Central Asia with Christian literature, biblical and vocational training, and socio-economic development projects. We also provide immediate aid to Central Asian believers when they are placed in prison, excluded from families and communities, and deprived of livelihood and employment because of their faith in Christ.
Father God, please make the eyes of the authorities in Uzbekistan blind to the activities of your church. Please protect your people, and give them courage and strength. Where believers from Muslim backgrounds have been rejected by their families, may they find a new family in the church.
Amen!
NB! Dokumentet er på engelsk
Leder: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Befolkning: 33,2 mill.
Kristne: 345.000
Hovedreligion: Islam
Regjeringsform: Autoritær republikk
Plassering: 21
Siste år: 18
Score: 71/100
Siste år: 73/100
Usbekistan fredag 23. august 2019
Som kirkeleder i Usbekistan, møter pastor Oleg mange utfordringer. Over 95 % av befolkningen er muslimer, og kristne blir sett på som etterfølgere av en utenlandsk sekt med mål å ødelegge det nåværende politiske systemet. Ingen andre religiøse aktiviteter foruten statsdrevne og statskontrollerte organisasjoner er tillatt i Usbekistan, og uregistrerte kirker blir utsatt for politirazziaer, arrestasjoner og bøter. Personer med muslimsk bakgrunn, som bestemmer seg for å følge Jesus, anses som forrædere. De fleste av pastor Olegs menighetsmedlemmer har muslimsk bakgrunn.
