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MERICAN Journal of Public Diplomacy and International Studies
www.
 grnjournal.us 
 
Main part: problems and perspectives
A number of decisions were made to improve the activities of the religious and educational 
sphere, according to which a new system was introduced to implement a unified state policy in 
this sphere, to protect the guarantees of citizens' freedom of conscience, and to form constructive 
and mutually respectful relations between representatives of different nationalities and peoples. 
In particular, the committee on international relations and friendly relations with foreign 
countries was established under the Cabinet of Ministers, and the activities of the committee on 
religious affairs were improved. 
"In accordance with the decision of our President dated April 16, 2018 "On measures to improve 
the activities of the Committee on Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers of the 
Republic of Uzbekistan", the new composition of the Council on Confession Affairs under the 
Committee on Religious Affairs was approved. The composition of the council increased from 9 
to 17 members - due to representatives of religious denominations operating in Uzbekistan. It is 
noteworthy that leaders of religious organizations with a small number of members were also 
included in the membership of the council. The main purpose of this council, which is 
considered a public consultation body, is to discuss the existing religious and social processes in 
Uzbekistan and to develop recommendations".[7] 
Today, 2,335 religious organizations belonging to 16 denominations are officially operating in 
the country. 2142 of them are Islamic and 193 non-Islamic organizations. Among them are 174 
Christian religious organizations, 8 Jewish, 6 Baha'i communities, 1 community of Yehova's 
witnesses, 1 community of Krishna Consciousness, 1 Buddhist temple and 1 Bible Society of 
Uzbekistan. (Information of the Committee on Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers 
of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated November 2022) 
The concept of the state policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of international 
relations was approved by the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 
November 15, 2019. The concept was aimed at ensuring the rights, freedoms and legal interests 
of people and citizens, strengthening the unity and integrity of Uzbekistan, preserving the ethnic-
cultural identity of the nations and peoples living in its territory, maintaining inter-ethnic 
tolerance, harmony and peace in society. Second, the US Commission on International Religious 
Freedom removed Uzbekistan from the list of "countries of particular concern". In 2018-2019, 
the delegation of Uzbekistan regularly participated in Ministerial conferences on the promotion 
of religious freedom. Uzbekistan's achievements in the field of religious freedom were positively 
evaluated at these conferences. 
Also, in Article 4 of the Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations" adopted 
on June 6, 2021, "Freedom of conscience is a guaranteed constitutional right of citizens to 
believe in any religion or not to believe in any religion." 
It is not allowed to coerce a citizen in one way or another when determining his attitude towards 
religion, to believe in religion or not to believe in it, to participate or not to participate in prayers, 
religious rituals and ceremonies, to receive religious education. 
It is not allowed to attract minors to religious organizations against their will, the will of their 
parents or legal representatives. 
Only the restrictions stipulated by the law apply to the freedom to believe or believe in one's 
religion. [8] 
As a continuation of this article, the obligations of religious organizations and associations are 
indicated. According to it, "To change the constitutional system of the Republic of Uzbekistan 
by force, to undermine its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to discriminate against the 
constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, to promote war, national, racial, ethnic or religious 
enmity, to attack the health and morals of citizens, to violate civil harmony, it is not allowed to 

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