Religious communities are required to officially register and police have made unannounced visits to church, closing those who cannot immediately produce their registration papers. Evangelism, missionary activity and religious instruction are forbidden by law. Only approved religious organizations can be registered, which include approved Muslim groups, Jews, Russian Orthodox and some protestant groups. Registration is frequently refused or delayed. As with other former Soviet republics, some church communities also refuse to register, remembering the consequences of registration in the former USSR.

In the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan, members of the Emmanuel Full Gospel Church had been appealing a ban on religious activities by the regional Justice Ministry, according to a July 11, 2005 report from Forum 18.  On July 5, a court in the regional capital of Nukus rejected the appeal, closing the last legal Protestant church in the region.

On June 11, 2005, the body of 65-year-old Kim Khen Pen Khin who had been working with Pentecostal churches in Uzbekistan was found on a street in Tashkent.  Police investigations centered on members of the Pentecostal churches.  According to one church member, they were treated worse than animals.  Three members were severely beaten, including a pastor who was treated for a concussion.  One church member, 19-year-old Kural Bekjanov, was originally accused of Kim's murder.  After two days, those charges were dropped but when police found out he was a Christian, the torture began. His ribs were broken and needles were inserted under his fingernails in an attempt to make him renounce his faith in Christ.

Marina Kalinkina, head of a registered charitable organization, Dustlig Kuprigi (Bridge of Friendship) faced harassment, a raid from the secret police, death threats, a large fine and the imprisonment of her father because of her religious beliefs, according to a July 19, 2005 report from Forum 18. Marina denied accusations that she is conducting religious activities.  She insisted that the mandate of Dustlig Kuprigi is to help the elderly and poor.  She admited to discussing religious issues with her guests, but insisted that it was a private gathering and not a religious meeting. Her pastors also faced interrogation and harassment by police.  One of the church leaders, Pastor Sergey Khripunov asked for the prayers of God's people.  "Pray for us, that the Lord [will give] us a possibility to stand through, so that we [will] stay faithful under these circumstances, in which we live and work. Pray that this does not influence the young believers, because some were tempted, unfortunately, because of the persecution. People are afraid to hold services openly. Pray that God [will give] power to withstand…."

• Pray for continued strength for Christians facing charges and harassment from authorities.
• Pray that the government of Uzbekistan will bow to international pressure and institute true human rights in the county.