Uzbekistan - September 2023

The Uzbek government has taken progressive steps to limit the practice of Islam in 2023, raising fears the country is returning to the draconian restrictions under former president Islam Karimov, who died in 2016. Restrictions and interrogations of observant Muslims have increased in 2023, prison terms for sharing religious content on social media are more common, and the prime minister has reportedly instructed public servants to choose between government and religion. Furthermore, regular contact with the United Nations special rapporteur on religious freedom and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom have ceased.

Sources: The Diplomat, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kun.uz