Authorities Attempt to Stifle Ministry of Children's Camps

The government officials of Uzbekistan, a country once part of the former Soviet Union before its independence in 1991, is attempting to deprive the registered Baptist Union of the land it owns and uses to run summer camps for children and families. State officials are claiming -- without any apparent legal foundation -- that the land was "illegally" purchased in 2000.

In a separate incident, an unrelated children's camp organized by local Protestants in the Samarkand Region was raided. It is reported that the raid made against 31 participating adults and children included the deployment of 30 regular police officers, 20 members of the riot police squad, and 30 additional officials from the regional tax authorities, fire department, Sanitary-Epidemiological Department, as well as members of the regional administration.

Reportedly, the police officers began brandishing their rubber batons during the raid. They "collected statements from everyone -- even from small children separated from their parents." After over six hours of questioning, and additional raids made on the alleged organizers' homes, it is expected that charges will be brought against six Protestants.

Representatives of the Baptist Union have filed a complaint to the Prosecutor-General, stating that "the future of Uzbekistan cannot be built on the plundering of religious organizations." Other stories of persecution can be found at the Uzbekistan Country Report.

Despite the frustrations of having to contend with opposing government officials, may God grant the leaders of these Christian camps much wisdom, patience, and an extra measure of His grace. In fact, may their response to the opposition serve as a strong and vibrant Christian witness to all involved. Our Lord promises in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of Hades will not prevail against the church, and that includes the church in Uzbekistan. As a result of His intervention in both situations, pray that these ministries will be able to move forward boldly... reaching even more people with the Gospel.

Uzbekistan Information

  • Current Ministry Project

    VOMC has been working with project partners over the past couple of years to affirm and equip Christian women for continued ministry and to encourage unity among them.

    Project Fund: Equipping the Saints

  • Country Information

    Population
    31,360,836 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Uzbek (83.8), Tajik (4.8), Kazakh (2.5), Russian (2.3) Karakalpak (2.2), Tatar (1.5), other (4.4)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (88), Eastern Orthodox (9), other (3)

    Leader
    President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (2016)

    Government type
    Presidential republic; highly authoritarian

    Legal system
    Civil law system

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Uzbekistan

    Thank you for praying on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Uzbekistan who are undergoing severe mistreatment by those governing over them. Ask the Lord to remind these persevering believers that they are truly His beloved children. As their Heavenly Father, He is the One who governs their souls and eternal destiny. May they have a heightened awareness of His abiding presence, everlasting love, help in times of trouble – and whatever else they specifically need – as conveyed through the infallible promises of His powerful Word.

Select a Region

Uzbekistan News

  • Church Buildings Demolished Without Warning
    A bulldozer is destroying a building.
    The demolition of a Council of Churches Baptist building.
    Photo: Baptist Council of Churches

    As the members of a Baptist church in the city of Urgench began to increase in numbers, they soon found themselves exceeding the capacity of their worship facility. To accommodate the growth, the congregation purchased a plot of land and began to construct a new church building. They had received all the necessary building permits to do so, and other developments were being built around them in various parts of the same vicinity.

    Read more...

  • Proposed Law Introduces New Punishments for Religious Education
    A group of happy children dressed in bright clothes greet the onlooker with waves and smiles.
    Children in Uzbekistan.
    Photo: Flickr / eatswords (cc) 

    A draft law, which is purported to "further strengthen the rights of children," recently passed its first reading in Uzbek parliament. However, the proposed legislation seeks to punish parents or guardians who allow their children to receive "illegal" religious education before reaching the age of 18.

    Read more...

  • Easter Worship Services Raided
    Entry to a building; a pillar with intricate carvings is in the foreground.
    Pray for wisdom as Uzbek Christians gather.
    Photo: VOMC

    While members of the Baptist church in Karshi, Uzbekistan, were gathered for worship on Easter Sunday, April 9th, police broke open the door and forced their way inside. Using electrical prods, they incapacitated some of the attendees while others cried and prayed. Ten members, including young people, were taken to the police station where they were held in custody until mid-afternoon. The detained believers were released after records of offence were drawn up against them.

    Read more...

  • Christian Fined for Distributing Magazines
    Magazines

    This past Christmas, a neighbourhood celebration in Uzbekistan was hosted by Tatyana Akhmadiyeva, a member of a local Baptist church. At the event, she offered Christian magazines to 15 of her neighbours. Local authorities received a report about the distribution and summoned Tatyana for questioning. She was told that the publications had been imported illegally, since they had not been evaluated by the "Struggle with Extremism and Terrorism Department." As a result, the officials confiscated the magazines, which they claimed were unlawfully distributed, and fined Tatyana the equivalent of two weeks' average wages.

    Read more...

View All

Uzbekistan Videos

 
Uzbekistan: Shestakov family says thank you very much!
/component/allvideoshare/category/uzbekistan.htm
 
Uzbekistan: Why are evangelicals being persecuted?
/component/allvideoshare/category/uzbekistan.htm
 
Uzbekistan: Life Without A Husband And Father (The Shestakov Family)
/component/allvideoshare/category/uzbekistan.htm