In New York on September 22, Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov held talks with the US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Samuel Dale Brownback, the MFA press service said.

The representative of the State Department noted that the progress in ensuring human rights in the republic over the past three years, and the current level of strategic partnership between the two states allowed Uzbekistan to be removed from the list of Countries of Particular Concern.

In his opinion, thanks to the leadership and Uzbekistan’s commitment to ensure freedom of religion, this achievement has become possible. The American diplomat welcomed the decision to close the Jasliq prison, the press service said.

Samuel Dale Brownback also welcomed the beginning of consideration of the Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations” by the Oliy Majlis deputies. The ambassador expressed the hope that the draft law would reflect international best practices and standards in respect of religious freedom.

The diplomat added that he supports the efforts of Uzbekistan to return citizens from the armed conflict zones in the Middle East. The United States shares the country’s priorities for the speedy rehabilitation and reintegration of repatriated people, including strengthening educational work on the consequences of joining radical groups.

It should be recalled that on August 2, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on the liquidation of the colony, which has been criticized for many years due to torture against prisoners.