Jul 14, 2025
China has been described as the “most prolific,” “sophisticated, far-reaching, and comprehensive” perpetrator of transnational repression in the world. It has targeted many religious communities in diaspora, including Uyghur Muslims, Protestant Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners, and members of the Church of Almighty God. Specific transnational repression tactics used by the Chinese government include stalking, harassment, intimidation or threats, assault, kidnapping, forcing or coercing the victim to return to China, and threatening or detaining family members in China. In its 2025 annual report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate China as a Country of Particular Concern.
On today’s episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast, USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler joins Supervisory Policy Advisor Mingzhi Chen to discuss the impact of China’s transnational repression on religious freedom.
Read USCIRF’s 2025 Annual Report Chapter on China and USCIRF’s most recent factsheet on Sinicization of Religion: China’s Coercive Religious Policy.
Gender: Male
Current Location: Investigation Prison No. 5 in Karshi (Shaykhali Prison)
Perpetrator: Uzbekistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: Yes
Sentence: 6 Years in a Labor Camp
Date of Detainment: June/18/2024
Date of Sentencing: December/18/2024
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts
Nature of Charges: Extremism
Umar Khalimov
Extra Bio Info:
Umar Khalimov is in a labor camp for his independent religious activity.
On June 18, 2024, police arrested Khalimov and seven other Muslims after six of them had attended a meal at the home of a state employee on that day. Reportedly, the employee regularly arranges meetings for Muslims during which he encourages attendees to make illegal statements while secretly recording them. During the arrests, police were dressed in military camouflage, carried machine guns, and used force. The Kashkadarya Regional Police Criminal Investigation Department charged Khalimov with "creating, leading, or participating in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist, or other banned organizations" (Art. 244-2.1 UCC).
On December 18, 2024, the Karshi Criminal Court sentenced Khalimov to six years in a labor camp.
Related Cases: Laziz Vokhidov; Khasan Abdirakhimov; Gaybullo Jalilov; Anvar Abdullayev; Sardor Jurayev; Jamshid Abdirakhimov
Publicly Available Information:
Jul 8, 2025
USCIRF Sent a Delegation to Kyrgyzstan to Assess Religious Freedom
Washington, DC – United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Vicky Hartzler and Vice Chair Asif Mahmood led a delegation to Kyrgyzstan in late June to assess religious freedom in the country.
“We appreciated the opportunity to discuss religious freedom issues with Kyrgyz government officials, religious leaders, and members of civil society,” said Chair Vicky Hartzler. “We urge the U.S. government to continue to monitor implementation of recent amendments to the religion law and raise freedom of religion or belief in its engagements with Kyrgyz leaders.”
Since 2024, USCIRF has recommended that the U.S. Department of State place Kyrgyzstan on its Special Watch List due to the government’s ongoing and systematic violations of freedom of religion or belief. In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF found that the Kyrgyz government continued to penalize peaceful religious practices, as well as enforce and expand legislation that violates international standards.
“USCIRF sought to assess the impact of the recent amendments to the religion law. These amendments signify the securitization of the religious sphere in Kyrgyzstan through new legal provisions that restrict FoRB,” said Vice Chair Asif Mahmood. “These restrictions will only harm the Kyrgyzstan people’s ability to live according to their conscience while risking greater instability.”
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]