Country Demographics:

• Population:  26.4 million
• Religions:  Muslim 88% (primarily Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, Other 3%
• Income Per Capita:  $531.94 year/ $1.48 day
• Government Type:  Republic; authoritarian presidential rule with limited power outside the executive branch
  Chief of State:  President Islom KARIMOV (since March 1990)
  Head of Government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 2003)

Legal Profession:

• Estimated number of lawyers in Uzbekistan is 3,000
• Estimated number of believers involved in the legal profession is 5
• The name of the local Christian group is GB-Barrister, organized in 2003 and lead by Mr. Gabdullin Nail.  Currently there is one lawyer active in the Christian group’s network. 

Major Activities of Christian Lawyers:

GB-Barrister lawyers are involved in the following activities:

• Defending Christian Protestants in the country
• Participating in conferences and court cases (ten administrative, five criminal, three civil)
• Religious freedom and human rights

Convocation Goals:

• The Advocates International Global Convocation will help Mr. Gabdullin extend his contacts with Christian lawyer groups of other nations as well as open doors for international support of his work in Uzbekistan. Gathering practical advise on ways to solve conflict between the Uzbekistani Christian community and the government will be essential to the leader of GB-Barrister. In addition, Mr. Gabdullin hopes the Convocation will bring the problems of Protestant Christians in Uzbekistan to the attention of the international Christian community.

Prayer Items:

• God’s help in turning the hearts of Uzbekistani licensed lawyers to Christ
• Overcoming the obstacles Protestant churches face when applying for governmental registration
• An end to Christian persecution in Uzbekistan
• Protection for international organizations during times of governmental persecution of Uzbekistani believers
• Funding for the Christian lawyers group to purchase office property and equipment

Contact Information:

• Nail Gabdullin gb-barrister@hisadvocates.net; gb-barrister@sarkor.uz

ªUzbekistan In Actionª

Efforts in Uzbekistan are being concentrated on human rights and religious freedom, as there are major problems in these areas.  In Uzbekistan, 88% of the population is Muslim. While there are laws in our country regarding human rights and religious freedom, they are not effective in practice.  Christian lawyers are hoping to work with foreign organizations on this concern to try to achieve an application of laws that will apply with equal benefit to Christian and Protestant Churches of Uzbekistan, as well as others.  They have already effectively collaboration at times with the Forum-18 News Service.