Uzbekistan revives fears of religious repression with new education law
Controversial law imposes prison terms for informal faith education, raising concerns over state control and echoes of Soviet-era suppression
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — Uzbekistan’s Senate has approved a controversial new law that criminalizes the teaching of religion to minors outside state-sanctioned institutions, a move widely seen as a renewed effort to suppress informal faith-based education and tighten government control over religious life.
Passed on June 25 by Uzbekistan’s Senate, the country’s upper house of parliament, the legislation introduces prison terms of up to three years for individuals — including parents, elders, or local preachers — who teach religious doctrine to children without formal credentials or official permission from a registered religious body.
As reported by The Times of Central Asia, the amendment expands Article 229-2 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, upgrading what was previously considered an administrative offense into a criminal one with harsher penalties and immediate prosecution. The bill now awaits the president’s signature to become law.
Although the law does not reference any specific religion, its implications are most severe for Uzbekistan’s overwhelmingly Muslim population, which accounts for more than 90% of the country. In many Muslim households, children traditionally begin learning prayer, Quranic verses, and ethical teachings at home or from local imams — forms of informal education that now risk being criminalized.
Supporters of the legislation claim it aims to safeguard children’s rights and ensure moral development. Senate committee chair Bahrom Abdullaev stated that the reforms were part of broader efforts to support children’s spiritual and intellectual growth through official channels. But civil rights advocates argue the law imposes sweeping restrictions on religious freedom and risks criminalizing peaceful expressions of faith within families and communities.
Earlier this year, Uzbekistan passed a related law holding parents accountable for involving their children in unlicensed religious education — punishable by fines or short-term arrests. Together, these laws signal a growing crackdown on grassroots religious practice, particularly within the Muslim community.
Under the new legislation, violators could face:
- Fines ranging from 18.75 to 37.5 million Uzbek soums ($1,493 to $2,986)
- Up to 360 hours of compulsory community service
- Correctional labor for up to 3 years
- Restrictions on liberty
- Or prison terms of up to 3 years
Analysts warn that the vague criteria and sweeping powers granted under the law could allow authorities to target families, clerics, or independent religious scholars, reviving fears of Soviet-style surveillance and repression.
During the Soviet era, religious education was banned outright, mosques were closed, and generations of Muslims were forced to practice their faith in secret.
Today, while Uzbekistan officially protects religious freedom in its constitution, the growing body of restrictive legislation has prompted concern among international rights groups and local observers alike. In a country still healing from its authoritarian past, many fear that laws like these could deepen public distrust and alienate communities for whom religious identity remains foundational.
Observers note that far from curbing extremism, such laws risk pushing religious life underground — repeating historical mistakes that sought to erase, rather than engage, the spiritual lives of millions.
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