Uzbekistan’s authoritarian regime continues to restrict religious freedom through a Religion Law that requires all religious groups to register to engage in religious activity.

Although all Christians experience some pressure, officially registered churches, such as the Russian Orthodox Church, experience less scrutiny from the government as they don’t tend to engage with the Uzbek population and so are seen as less of a threat. Non-traditional churches, however—especially those who have been unable to obtain registration—are particularly prone to police raids, threats, arrests and fines. Baptist, Evangelical and Pentecostal groups are most at risk; in fact, they’re prone to being viewed as “extremists” by the government, which suspects them of being spies trying to destroy the government. 

Christians are a tiny minority in this predominantly Muslim culture, and indigenous believers who come from Muslim backgrounds face severe pressure for their faith from their families, local communities and the authorities.