Uzbekistan (MNN)–Forum 18 reports authorities in Uzbekistan have shut down around 12 foreign charities and humanitarian organizations.
The closures came over suspicions of the groups’ religious affiliations. Cited reasons for the closures have been alleged missionary activity by staff members.
Government spokespersons have not clarified if religiously-affiliated charities are now barred from the country.
However, this causes obvious concern for those working under similar conditions in the region. HCJB World Radio airs 2.5 hours of Uzbek programs per week from an AM station outside the country.
There’s no word as to whether or not their programs have yet been targeted by the government for religious content.
