May 15, 2007 — Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) was joined by 11 other Members of Congress in writing the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, urging him to release Protestant pastor Dmitry Shestakov, who was sentenced in March to four years in a labor colony because of his religious activity. 

“We are urging President Karimov to uphold Uzbekistan’s international commitments and release Pastor Shestakov immediately and unconditionally,” said Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ), Co-Chairman of the Congressional Taskforce for International Religious Freedom.  “It is very alarming that a pastor would be jailed for merely exercising his fundamental religious freedom rights, and I hope President Karimov will end these Soviet-like practices and respond positively to our concerns.” 

The letter highlights the problematic nature of the charges brought against Pastor Shestakov, the irregularities at his trial, and the inability of family members to provide heart medications for the pastor.  The letter also cites reports of charges being brought against members of Shestakov’s church, as well as the prosecution of Protestant church leaders in two other Uzbek cities.

“Last year, the State Department correctly designated Uzbekistan a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ for its egregious violations of religious freedom,” said Congressman Franks.  “The continuation of these repressive policies against Christians and Muslims would certainly justify the application of stronger actions under the International Religious Freedom Act.  The United States cannot stand silent while people of faith are persecuted for their beliefs.”

The State Department designated Uzbekistan for the first time a “Country of Particular Concern” in November 2006.  The State Department also designated Burma, China, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. 

Congressman Franks is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is a member of the Committee on Armed Services, Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Readiness Subcommittee, Committee on the Judiciary, and is Ranking Member on the Constitution Subcommittee.