New law on religious policy and freedom of conscience approved in Uzbekistan

The concept of state policy in the religious sphere has been approved. This is stated in the law “On ensuring freedom of conscience of citizens in the Republic of Uzbekistan and approving the concept of state policy in the religious sphere”, adopted yesterday, February 25.

According to the law, the concept of state policy in the religious sphere has been approved.

The concept defines the right to freedom of conscience of citizens and the implementation of constitutional provisions on the fact that the Republic of Uzbekistan is a secular state, as well as the goals, objectives, principles, and priority areas of state policy in the religious sphere.

The concept was developed based on the rich national and historical experience of statehood development and universal human values and is aimed at ensuring the necessary stable environment for realizing the interests of society in multinational and multi-confessional Uzbekistan, living in harmony and consistent development based on democracy, secularism, freedom, equality, social justice, and solidarity.

The goal of state policy in the religious sphere in Uzbekistan is to create equal conditions for the exercise of citizens' rights to freedom of conscience, to promote mutual understanding and respect between religious organizations of different religions, to strengthen inter-confessional harmony, and to ensure religious tolerance and secularism in society.

The law enters into force on the date of its official publication.

We would like to remind you that on February 20, at the fourth plenary session of the Senate, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis approved the law "On ensuring freedom of conscience of citizens in the Republic of Uzbekistan and approving the concept of state policy in the religious sphere."