Uzbekistan | June 30, 2021
You’re offline. This is a read only version of the page.
Radio Free Europe (RFE/RL) reported on 9 August 2023 that a popular online media platform had closed down without explanation. Azon.uz’s website and online TV and radio broadcasts specialized in religious and educational topics and had faced interference from state authorities in previous years. Experts suggest that the closure was a result of the authoritarian government's increased efforts to restrict free speech; several journalists and bloggers are facing charges in court.
World Watch Research analyst Rolf Zeegers comments: “Uzbekistan is still a very intolerant country regarding freedom of religion. Many observers hoped that the country would become much more open when Islam Karimov, the former president of Uzbekistan, died in September 2016. Since then, power was handed over to current President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, but there has been little improvement for both Muslim and Christian groups. The closure of the popular media platform should be seen as a warning for the future, and religious minorities such as Christians need to be constantly aware that the state is monitoring their every move.”
We use cookies and other technologies on our website. Some of them are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience. We use them, among other things, to offer you an option for secure donations and anonymously evaluate access to our website. It also allows us to share our own YouTube videos on the website. Depending on the function, the data is passed on to third parties and processed by them. More information on The use of your data can be found in our Privacy Policy. You can revoke or adjust your choice at any time under Cookie Settings.