On September 22, the Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov held talks with the US Ambassador at Large for International in Religious Freedom in New York, the Foreign Ministry said.
Samuel Dale Brownback commended the progress in human rights in Uzbekistan over the past three years which resulted in Uzbekistan’s being removed from the List of countries of particular concern in the field of religious freedoms.
The American diplomat reportedly said that this achievement was made possible thanks to the leadership and commitment of Uzbekistan to ensure freedom of religion and welcomed the decision to close the Jaslyk penal colony.
Samuel Dale Brownback also welcomed the beginning of the revision of the Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations Law and expressed the hope that the new edition would reflect international best practices and standards in ensuring the religious freedom.
The diplomat added that he supports to Uzbekistan’s efforts to return citizens from zones of armed conflict in the Middle East. The United States shares the country's priorities for their swift rehabilitation and reintegration.
