TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — For unspecified reasons, a local government in Uzbekistan is demolishing a Baptist church’s buildings.
The rights group Forum 18 states that one building of an Urgench Council of Churches Baptists church is partially razed, and its other building is targeted for destruction. Both were under construction — one nearing completion — at the time destruction started April 25.
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Protests stopped the April demolition. Nonetheless, the congregation was not allowed to repair damages. Then on Dec. 4, demolition began again, states Forum 18.
The rights group sought answers from the Urgench Bailiffs Department, which is the government entity destroying the church buildings. But Forum 18 says its phone calls were unanswered.
The Baptist congregation purchased the plot in 2023.
In an August 2024 article, Forum 18 quoted local Baptist Konstantin Kim as saying, “We have all the legal papers that we can construct the buildings on the land.”
Owners who bought plots in the same general area have built on their properties. Only the structures of the Baptist church are being destroyed, a Baptist told Forum 18.
Uzbekistan is No. 25 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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