Uzbekistan and «Jehovah’s Witnesses» have a dialogue about the activities of the organization

[Guest Nicole]

The Uzbek authorities and the religious organization «Jehovah’s Witnesses» (the activity of its main centre is recognised as extremist and banned in Russia) are engaged in a constructive dialogue about its activities in the Republic, told RIA Novosti on Thursday, the Committee on religious Affairs under the government of Uzbekistan.

In April, the US Commission on international religious freedom has identified 16 countries, including Uzbekistan, in a number of countries-violators of religious freedoms for the use of the law against extremism for restricting the activities of the «Jehovah’s Witnesses».

The Committee on religious Affairs of Uzbekistan said that the Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Utkir Hasanbaev met with representatives of the governing Board of «Jehovah’s Witnesses» in the United States Kenneth Flodine and the European Association of organization Lorenzo Trapanese. «Flodin thanked for reception and conveyed the information and told about the purpose of his visit, which was to discuss the activities of the religious organization «Jehovah’s Witnesses» in the Republic. They also expressed satisfaction from the talks with the leadership of the Committee,» — said the representative office.

According to him, during the meeting the Uzbek side noted that legislation of Uzbekistan in compliance with all the norms of international covenants and agreements on human rights concerning freedom of conscience. «Following the talks, the sides agreed to continue relevant consultations on the discussed issues. The meeting was held in constructive and friendly atmosphere,» added the Committee.

Uzbekistan’s law enforcement bodies have repeatedly detained by representatives of the «Jehovah’s Witnesses» for illegal involvement in the ranks of the locals and the secret meetings in different regions of the country. «Jehovah’s witnesses» was just one city of Chirchik near Tashkent. By law, they have the right to hold meetings only in places besides conducting religious propaganda is prohibited. Under Uzbek law, the detainees are brought to administrative responsibility and fined up to 100 times the minimum wage (about 4.5 thousand dollars).

In Uzbekistan registered more than 2,2 thousand religious organizations, of which more than 90% are Muslim. However, in carrying out activities 157 Christian organizations, eight Jewish communities, six Baha’i communities, one hare Krishna society and one Buddhist temple.

«Jehovah’s witnesses» is an international religious organization with headquarters in Brooklyn (new York). As reported on the website of Jehovah’s witnesses, «Witnesses» exist in Russia more than 100 years. Since 2004, the courts were closed a number of communities and local offices, «Jehovah’s Witnesses» in the regions — the Belgorod, Samara, Rostov and Orel oblasts and other constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Russia’s Supreme court on 20 April as extremist activity «administrative center of Jehovah’s witnesses in Russia» — the head of the organization, managing the branches of «Jehovah’s Witnesses» in Russia.

http://chelorg.com/2017/06/29/uzbekistan-and-jehovahs-witnesses-have-a-dialogue-about-the-activities-of-the-organization/

[Guest Nicole]

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 28 June 2017, a delegation of the religious organization Jehovah’s Witnesses held negotiations at the Committee for Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan. The delegation included representatives of the US Governing Council Kenneth Flodin and the European Association of Lorenzo Trapaneze.

According to the press service of the Committee, the guests were provided with information on the activities of the committee and the main principles of the relationship between the state and religion in Uzbekistan.

It should be noted that the provisions of Uzbek law comply with all norms of international covenants and agreements on human rights related to freedom of conscience.

Kenneth Flodin thanked for the reception and the information conveyed and spoke about the purpose of his visit, which is to discuss the activities of the religious organization Jehovah’s Witnesses in Uzbekistan. He was satisfied with the conversation with the leadership of the committee.

At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue relevant consultations on discussed issues.

https://www.uzdaily.com/articles-id-39937.htm