Uzbekistan fines religious groups for voicing beliefs

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Uzbekistan continues to harass and fine Christians, Muslims and Jehovah’s Witnesses who exercise their freedom of thought, conscience or belief.

In a recent case, 13 Baptists were fined 50 times the minimum monthly salary for meeting to worship. The verdict claims that it follows police “anti-terror” operations. The judge who imposed the fine refused to discuss the case with reporters.

In a continuation of the current official actions against people with religious literature, two Baptists carrying religious literature were arrested in the Metro in Tashkent, the capital, and questioned at a police station by the most senior police officer responsible for Metro security.

They will be charged for carrying the literature. Attempting to justify the police action, a local official in the capital said that “religious movements are trying to destabilize Uzbekistan.” He did not explain how violating fundamental human rights stabilizes Uzbekistan.