EU member states have been urged to recognise the deteriorating human rights situation and continuing limitation of religious freedom in Uzbekistan as they meet to consider the renewal of sanctions against the country.

The decision to renew sanctions against Uzbekistan is expected to be taken at the forthcoming meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) (or EU foreign ministers) on 15 and 16 October.

The sanctions were initially imposed following the Andijan massacre in May 2005 where at least 500 demonstrators were murdered by Uzbek troops. The EU adopted sanctions in November of that year, which are renewed every six months. At the same session the EU is expected to vote on whether to broaden the sanctions on Burma, Christian Today has been told.

It appears some EU member states, led by Germany, are lobbying for the non-renewal of sanctions on Uzbekistan, despite the worsening human rights situation there, reports Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

CSW has said, "While EU countries are discussing further measures to reinforce and strengthen existing sanctions on the Burmese regime should violence be used against peaceful demonstrators, they appear to lack the resolve to insist that the same standards are followed in Uzbekistan."

Speaking at the recent Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Human Dimension meeting in Warsaw, CSW drew attention to recent human rights violations in Uzbekistan.

Sources in Uzbekistan report that security officials frequently raid religious services and those present are subjected to interrogation and harassment. Christian Today has been told that officials often video the proceedings and confiscate religious materials, and that those detained are frequently tortured and maltreated.

Forum 18 reports that there are a number of prisoners of conscience currently being held in Uzbekistan. Among them is Uzbek Protestant Pastor Dimitry Shestakov, who was sentenced to four years imprisonment in a harsh work camp merely for practising his faith and leading a congregation of the Full Gospel Church in Andijan.

People active in religious communities are tracked by authorities and are made to register with local security agencies. They can be summoned at any moment for interrogation.

So far the Uzbek Government has ignored all protests by foreign governments and international bodies.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW said "The Uzbek people are experiencing clear and consistent violations of their fundamental human rights. By failing to renew sanctions on Uzbekistan, the EU risks seriously undermining their credibility in the eyes of the international community and other regimes facing the threat of sanctions.

"We urge the EU, and its member states to be consistent in their dealings with these countries We also urge a closer EU and OSCE co-operation in the field of freedom of religion and belief, especially in light of the newly adopted EU strategy on Central Asia. "