NEWS IN DECEMBER 2021

27 December

This year 69 children have been returned to Azerbaijan from Iraq and Syria

Total 69 children and 12 women were returned to Azerbaijan from Iraq and Syria this year, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov told a press conference on Monday on December 27 in Baku.

The Minister did not say how these children appeared in these countries. Apparently, they are family members of those who took part in the fighting as a part of illegal armed groups.

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NEWS IN NOVEMBER 2021

25 November

12 Azerbaijani citizens repatriated from Syria

12 Azerbaijani citizens were repatriated from a camp in the Syrian town of Jarablus, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

They were transported to the territory of Turkey, where the Azerbaijani Embassy provided them with documents for their return to Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani government will take necessary measures for rehabilitation and reintegration of these persons, the Foreign Ministry said.

The message does not mention the age and gender of the repatriates. Also, it is not reported how and when they happened to be in Syria. Earlier, official authorities reported on the detention in camps in Syria of the wives and children of persons who fought as a part of various military formations in Syria and Iraq

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NEWS IN OCTOBER 2021

28 October

Foreign Ministry informed of repatriation of 38 Azerbaijani children from Iraq

A flight Baghdad-Istanbul-Baku today carried out repatriation of 38 Azerbaijani children from Iraq who were in correctional institutions. This is stated in the message of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It became possible to bring them home due to the coordinated and step-by-step measures taken by the Azerbaijani government, the Ministry’s press release said. First of all, the children’s whereabouts and their Azerbaijani citizenship were established. Then they were provided with documents for return to Azerbaijan and air tickets.

Prior to their repatriation, they underwent preliminary medical and psychological examination and received necessary assistance.

As a whole, the 38 children accompanied by state officials were repatriated to Azerbaijan by a flight Baghdad-Istanbul-Baku.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds that 288 Azerbaijani citizens, including 286 children and two women, have been repatriated from Iraq up to now.

Note that the repatriated are family members of those who had gone to Syria and Iraq to take part in military actions on the side of ISIS and other terrorist groups.

 

29 October

38 Azerbaijani children that returned from Iraq are involved in rehabilitation programs

38 Azerbaijani children who returned from Iraq the day before have been involved in rehabilitation and reintegration programs. This was reported by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of Population on October 29.

Seventeen children have been placed in the Social Services Agency facilities under the Ministry of Labor, and twenty one in the institutions of the Ministry of Health instituitions.

Earlier representatives of appropriate Azerbaijani institutions, detached to Iraq, conducted primary medical and psychological examination of the Azerbaijani children held in penitentiary institutions and orphanages. They were provided with necessary aid.

Upon return, a psychologist and a social worker were assigned to each child. Note that the rehabilitation and reintegration programs started on the basis of individual plan and in cooperation with relevant state structures.

With the support of social partners, the children will be handed over to their families and close relatives.

At the next stage, socio-psychological assistance will be provided to children over a long period of time.

Also, psychosocial rehabilitation measures are planned to be held in the families where the children will live.

 

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NEWS IN AUGUST 2021

12 August

Relatives of the defendants in the “Ganja case” held another protest action

On August 12, relatives of the defendants in the “Ganja case” held a picket in front of the Azerbaijani presidential administration building with the slogans: “Freedom for the Ganja prisoners!” “End to frame-up courts!”

They stated that the accused were unfairly arrested and demanded their acquittal by the court. The police suppressed the rally as saying that because of the pandemic, the administration would not accept the protesters.

The action was timed to coincide with today’s meeting on the case at the Baku Court for Serious Crimes.

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NEWS IN JULY 2021

8 July

The authorities allocated financial assistance to the religious communities of the country

On July 8, the head of state Ilham Aliyev issued an order on the allocation of financial assistance to a number of religious communities in the country. The Office of Muslims of the Caucasus -2 million manats, the Baku Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church – 350 thousand manats, the Community of Mountain Jews – 350 thousand manats, the Community of European Jews – 150 thousand manats, the Apostolic Prefecture of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan – 150 thousand manats, the Udino-Albanian community – 150 thousand manats will be allocated from the Reserve Fund of the President of the country for 2021.

Additional 100,000 manats are allocated to other non-Islamic religious communities through the Foundation for the Promotion of Moral Values.

 

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NEWS IN JUNE 2021

21 June

Protest action of relatives of the “Ganja case” defendants

On 21 June relatives of the “Ganja case” defendants tried to hold a protest action in front of the Presidential administration. However, the police suppressed the action removing its participants chanting slogans “Freedom to the Ganja prisoners” from the territory on buses. No detainees reported.

The relatives of the accused appealed to the President and the first President to release the arrested persons in view of their innocence.

It should be recalled that on July 3, 2018, an attempt was made against the head of the executive power of the city of Ganja, Elmar Valiyev. A resident of Ganja, Yunis Safarov, wounded him and his bodyguard.

After that, a protest action was scheduled to be held on July 10 in front of the Ganja administration building. On the same day, riots broke out in the city following which two policemen were killed. That was followed by mass arrests of believers and other persons.

Pursuant to these events a criminal case was opened against 70 people. The accused received 6 to 18 years of imprisonment. About 10 people were discharged on parole.

The trial of Yunis Safarov and 11 others began in January 2020.

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NEWS IN MAY 2021

4 May

Action in defense of the persons involved in the “Ganja case”

About 10 women – family members of the defendants in the “Ganja case” came to the building of the Milli Mejlis with portraits of convicts. They chanted the slogan “We want freedom for the Ganja prisoners”, demanded a meeting with the parliament leadership and deputies from Ganja.

“Before the parliamentary elections, the deputy from Ganja Musa Guliyev promised that after the election he would help in making a fair decision on the affairs of our children. But as soon as he received his mandate, he forgot about us,” said one of the protesters.

The police officers forced the women into the bus and removed them from the parliament building.

On July 3, 2018, an attempt was made on the life of the then head of the city Elmar Veliyev in Ganja. A native of Ganja, Yunis Safarov wounded Veliyev and his bodyguard.

After that, a protest rally in front of the Ganja administration building was scheduled for July 10. On that day, riots broke out in the city, during which two police officers were killed. This was followed by mass arrests of believers and others.

For these events, criminal cases were initiated against 70 people. The defendants were sentenced to imprisonment from six to 18 years. About 10 people were released on parole. The trial against Safarov and 11 others began in January 2020.

 

4 May

The new statistics on registered religious organisations and places of worship in Azerbaijan

While addressing the plenary session of the Parliament in the course of the debate of the draft amendments to the law “On Freedom of Religion” in the third reading, the MP Siyavush Novruzov said that there were 970 religious organizations registered in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, there were 2.463 mosques in the country, and each of them should have a community. Further, the MP pointed out that there were 765 sanctuaries (piers) in Azerbaijan,

” We have problems with their registration. The work should be done to eliminate these problems”.

 

10 May

Advisory Council of Religious Denominations established in Azerbaijan

On May 10, the Caucasian Muslims Board held a foundation meeting of the Advisory Council of heads of religious confessions in Azerbaijan. This is stated in the information released by the CMB.

The meeting’s agenda included the formation of the Advisory Council, the approval of its members, and the election of the chairman, as well as the approval of the Council’s regulations.

According to the information, it would be appropriate to establish a body called Advisory Council of heads of religious confessions operating in Azerbaijan.

The meeting unanimously approved the formation of the Advisory Council, and the heads of churches operating in Azerbaijan were approved as members.

It was determined that the composition of the Advisory Council is open and applications from other religious confessions active in Azerbaijan, which have adopted its regulations, may also be considered for inclusion in the Advisory Council.

Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, was elected as the chairman of the Advisory Council, the regulations of the organization was approved taking into account the proposals.

The members of the Advisory Council are Archbishop Alexander of Baku and Azerbaijan of the Russian Orthodox Church, head of the Community of Mountain Jews of Azerbaijan Melih Yevdaev, head of the Community of European Jews of Baku Alexander Sharovsky, Bishop of the Apostolic Prefecture of the Roman Catholic Church in Azerbaijan Vladimir Fekete, Chairman of the Albanian-Udi Christian Religious Community Robert Mobili, First Deputy Chairman of the CMB, Mufti Salman.

 

13 May

U.S. urges Azerbaijan to remove burdensome registration requirements for faith groups, release prisoners

Washington on Wednesday urged the Azerbaijani authorities to “remove the burdensome registration requirements for faith groups, and to release all individuals who have been imprisoned for exercising their fundamental freedoms,” Daniel Nadel, a senior official in the State Department’s (DoS) Office of International Freedom, told TURAN’s Washington correspondent during the Department’s special briefing on the release of annual report on International Religious Freedom for 2020.

“… We continue to see reports that the [Azerbaijani] government has physically abused, arrested, and imprisoned religious activists over the course of the last year on account of their religious beliefs. Reports estimate that Azerbaijani prisons held about 40 to 50 people who activists considered to be political prisoners detained on account of their religious beliefs,” – Nadel said.

The DoS report, which is the 23rd of its kind, paints a grim picture of intolerance and other negative trends in countries that are known for repressing religious minorities, TURAN’s U.S. correspondent reports.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken introduced the report at a press conference on Wednesday.

“[O]ur promise to the world is that the Biden-Harris administration will protect and defend religious freedom around the world.  We will maintain America’s longstanding leadership on this issue,” he told reporters.

“Religious freedom is a key element of an open and stable society. Without it, people aren’t able to make their fullest contribution to their country’s success.  And whenever human rights are denied, it ignites tension, it breeds division,” the Secretary added.

The report, which documents religious freedom conditions in every nation globally, is “a valuable tool to hold countries accountable for persecution and violence, as well as to support needed change,” according to the U.S. religious freedom body USCIRF, which recently pitched adding Azerbaijan to the DoS’ Special Watch List.

Now that the Department’s Report is released, the Secretary will “begin a review of the situation for religious freedom in all countries to determine whether any of them or which ones meet the legal criteria to be designated as Countries of Particular Concern or Special Watch List countries,” according to DoS officials.

“[W]e’ll begin in short order, and over the next few months we’ll be assessing those situations, and the Secretary will be making the determinations… We anticipate those announcements to be going out some time later this year,” State Department’s Daniel Nadel said in response to TURAN’s questions.

According to the Report, throughout last year, Azerbaijani courts, continued reviewing appeals and sentencing individuals detained after a July 2018 attack on the then-head of the Ganja City Executive Committee and the subsequent killing of two police officers. Authorities alleged those sentenced were part of a Shia “extremist conspiracy” that sought to undermine the constitutional order. “Civil society activists and human rights groups considered the vast majority of the verdicts to be politically motivated and estimated 43 individuals remained in prison at year’s end in connection with the events in Ganja.”

Authorities continued legal action against individuals associated with the unregistered Muslim Unity Movement (MUM), which the government characterized as an extremist group. Civil society activists and human rights advocates considered the incarceration of MUM members to be politically motivated.

The U.S. Ambassador to Baku and other U.S. embassy officers “engaged government officials to advocate for the release of individuals NGOs stated were imprisoned for their religious beliefs,” reads the report.

“The Ambassador and embassy officers urged [Azerbaijani] government officials to address longstanding issues with the registration process for smaller religious communities and to implement an alternative to military service for conscientious objectors, as stipulated in the constitution. The Ambassador advocated at the highest levels of government for the protection of religious and cultural sites in the newly returned territories. The Ambassador and embassy officers met regularly with representatives of registered and unregistered religious groups and civil society to discuss religious freedom in the country. Embassy officers also had consultations with theologians.”

Pursuant to the International Religious Freedom Act, the State Department is required to prepare this annual report on religious freedom conditions.

Per Department officials, studies have shown that governments that safeguard religious freedom are more stable, economically vibrant and peaceful than those that don’t, “and they’re also better partners of the United States.”

“Conversely, those that don’t protect religious freedom can foster radicalization and violent extremism, undermine economic development and threaten social cohesion and political stability. And as such, we promote respect for religious freedom not just because it is a cherished American value but also because it’s a national security imperative,”- Nadel told reporters.

 

19 May

Families of persons accused of membership of illegal groups in Syria protest

Family members of a group of persons accused of participating in illegal armed groups in Syria on May 19 tried to hold a protest in front of the building of the Presidential Administration. The protesters are protesting against the charges against their children. The police did not allow the action and the participants were removed from the territory by buses.

One of the protesters said their children were tricked into being taken to Syria.

The mother of the detained person, Marifa Mardanova, said that his son was fraudulently taken to Syria in 2013. After two months in Syria, Marif returned voluntarily, and was arrested in Azerbaijan, she said.

Another protester said that they had repeatedly sent their protest to the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Presidential Administration and the Ombudsman, but there was no result.

“Our children were taken to Syria under the pretext of work. President Ilham Aliyev said in 2013 that if those who left for Syria voluntarily return back, they would not be arrested. However, they were arrested immediately upon arrival in Azerbaijan.”

Employees of the former Ministry of National Security detained 26 citizens of Azerbaijan on September 23, 2014. They were charged under the Articles 12.1 (Application of the Azerbaijani law for crimes committed outside Azerbaijan), 279.1 (Creation of armed formations not provided for by Azerbaijani legislation) and 170.3 (Criminal proceedings against persons under the age of majority) of the Criminal Code.

The indictment states that the accused Vilayat Hasanli, Malik Musayev, Vasif Hajiyev, Ilkin Babazade, Mehman Balakishiyev, Ruslan Mustafayev, Namiq Mammadov, Farid Muradov, Tural Hasanov, Elvin Aliyev, Tariyel Mustafayev, Azerami Gambarov, Vusal Qambarov, Nijat Abbasov, Huseyn Mammadov, Ruslan Jafarov, Sanan Bakhishov, Eldost Quliyev, Mamedshah Mammadaliyev, Ahmed Hasanov and Maarif Mardanov from 2013 to 2014 at different times in Syria participated in the armed forces not provided for by the legislation of Syria and Azerbaijan.

According to the verdict, Vugar Dursunaliyev was sentenced to 15 years, his son Elvin to 4 years, Malik Musayev and Azer Qambarov to 13 years and 6 months each, other accused persons to 14 years in prison.

 

24 May

Family members of the defendants in the Ganja case held a protest action

Relatives and friends of the defendants in the Ganja case held a protest rally in front of the Presidential Administration building on May 14. The police intervened in the course of the action, pushing the participants away from the building. There were no detainees. The protesters held up portraits of their children, resulting in a standoff with the police.

On 3 July 2018, an attempt was made on the then head of the executive power of the city of Ganja, Elmar Valiyev. A resident of Ganja, Yunis Safarov, wounded him and his bodyguard.

After that, a protest action was scheduled for July 10 in front of the Ganja administration building. On the same day, riots broke out in the city, during which two policemen were killed. This was followed by mass arrests of believers and others.

According to these events, a criminal case was opened against 70 people. The accused received from 6 to 18 years in prison. About 10 people were paroled.

The trial of Yunis Safarov and 11 others began in January 2020.

 

25 May

Relatives and friends of the “Ganja prisoners” held an act of protest in front of the EU office in Baku

On May 25, a group of family members of those arrested in the “Ganja case” held an act of  protest in front of the EU Representative Office in Baku. Participants of the action held placards with words ” Freedom to the Ganja prisoners!”, ” End to false accusations!”.

The participants of the action voiced a demand for the release of the relatives under arrest.

“For several years now, we have been traveling along the Ganja-Baku road. Our children are innocent. For this reason, we want justice in the courts and the acquittal of our children,” said an action participant.

Another participant of the action said that the government and law enforcement agencies, though hearing their demands, decline from complying with them.

“We would like the Azerbaijani courts to make fair decisions, so that the false accusations stop. But, the courts make no fair decisions. For this reason, we are forced to contact international organizations. We want to achieve fair decisions in the courts of our country with the help of international organizations, ” he said.

On July 3, 2018, an attempt was made on the then head of the executive power of the city of Ganja, Elmar Valiyev. A resident of Ganja, Yunis Safarov, wounded him and his bodyguard.

After that, a protest action was scheduled for July 10 in front of the Ganja administration building. On that day, there were riots in the city, during which two high-ranking police officers were killed. This was followed by mass arrests of believers and other persons.

According to these events, a criminal case was opened against 70 people. The accused were sentenced 6 to 18 years of imprisonment. About 10 people were paroled.

The trial of Yunis Safarov and 11 others began in January 2020.

 

27 May

20 Azerbaijani citizens returned from Syria – women and children

On May 27, 20 Azerbaijani citizens were repatriated to Azerbaijan from Syria – six women and 14 children who were detained in a camp in the city of Jerablus, the press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.

This became possible as a result of measures taken by the government of the country and government agencies of Turkey, where these persons were taken from Syria.

The Azerbaijani government plans to take all necessary measures for the reintegration and rehabilitation of relevant persons and will continue measures to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens, reads the report.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan for 2018, 1,477 people (1,136 men and 341 women) went to Syria and Iraq from Azerbaijan to join terrorist organizations. Of these, 903 people (749 men and 154 women) are considered dead or missing.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 309 people (261 men and 48 women) returned to the country (these are mainly people from Sumgayit, Qusar, Balakan and Zaqatala).

The report also says that 24 Azerbaijani children, who were still in the conflict zones and lost their parents, were also returned.

According to some reports, 270 Azerbaijani children who have lost one or both parents are in detention centers in Syria and Iraq.

 

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NEWS IN APRIL 2021

6 April

The OIC delegation visits the liberated territories

A delegation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) arrived in Agdam today and performed namaz in the Juma mosque.

The members of the delegation arrived in Azerbaijan to get acquainted with the state of affairs in the liberated territories and the consequences of Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan.

 

7 April

Visit of CMO Chairman Allahshukur Pashazade and heads of religious confessions of Azerbaijan to Barda and Agdam

The heads of the religious communities of Azerbaijan led by Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO) Allahshukur Pashazade arrived in Barda.

The delegation of religious leaders also includes members of the Gazi Council, heads of the Community of Mountain Jews Milikh Yevdayev and the Community of European Jews Alexander Sharovsky, ordinary of the Apostolic Prefecture of the Roman Catholic Church Vladimir Fekete, head of the Albanian-Udi community Robert Mobili, and representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The members of the delegation have firstly visited Alley of Martyrs in Barda within the framework of the visit and prayed for souls of heroes, who sacrificed their lives for the Homeland. Delegation has visited Juma Mosque in Barda.

CMO Chairman and heads of religious confessions, who will visit Agdam later, will pay a visit to Agdam Juma Mosque and pray a salah there.

 

13 April

The arrangements for religious education are defined

Parliament of Azerbaijan

The religious educational institutions would be established by the Religious Centre (department) in agreement with the body (institution) determined by the relevant executive authority. An amendment to the “Law on Freedom of Religious Belief” has been proposed to this effect. According to the draft law, a Religious Centre (Department) may establish only one Higher Religious Educational Institution.

According to the draft law, the Religious Higher Education Institutions and Religious Secondary Specialised Education Institutions will operate on the basis of a licence issued in compliance with the “Law on Licences and Permits”. Those studying at the religious educational institutions will be granted the rights and privileges determined for the students at the state educational institutions.

 

13 April

Mass visit to sacred places in foreign countries to be only organized by religious centers

A requirement on regular visits of religious persons to the places, which are situated in foreign countries and considered sacred for relevant religions, for praying is determined, it has been reflected in the amendment suggested for the law “On freedom of religious beliefs”.

According to the draft law, regular visits of religious persons to the places, which are situated in foreign countries and considered sacred for relevant religions, for praying are organized by relevant religious centers (offices) and the office, determined by the relevant executive power body, should be informed in this regard.

 

13 April

Requirements for religious rituals, ceremonies and events are set in Azerbaijan

The requirements for conducting large-scale religious rites, ceremonies and events are established in Azerbaijan.

It is therefore suggested to add a new Article 6-1 to the Law. From now on, the mass religious rites, ceremonies and events (funerals, commemoration, iftar, religious marriage ceremonies) will be held inside the religious temples and sanctuaries.

The new article 6.1 will also provide that mass religious rites, ceremonies and events (funerals, commemoration, iftar, religious marriage ceremonies, except for ehsan and mawlid) will be held outside religious temples and sanctuaries only with the approval of the body (organization) determined by the relevant executive authority.

 

13 April

Forcing children to practice a religion being prohibited

Forcing children to practice religion is prohibited, it has been reflected in the amendment to the law on freedom of religious belief.

According to the draft, religious upbringing of children should not impact their physical and psychological health.

 

14 April

The Caucasus Board of Muslims Internet TV channel has started its broadcasting

Logo of the Internet TV Channel “114 TV”

From the first day of the month of Ramadan (14 April), it was launched the Internet TV Channel “114 TV”, a new project of the Caucasus Muslim Board (CBM). As Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, the Head of the UMC, said to the media the number “114″ in the channel’s name was related to the number of surahs of the Koran.

The goals and objectives of the new Internet TV channel were stated as follows,

“The Internet TV channel has been launched today in connection with the month of Ramadan. Daily, half an hour prior to iftar, a discussion programme on the subject of Ramadan will be aired. Our activities will be continued even after Ramadan. There will be broadcast programmes regarding the UMK activities as well as the religious enlightenment ones”.

 

16 April

Members of the Albano-Udi Christian community will perform Easter services in the temple in Tug

Members of the Albano-Udi Christian religious community of Azerbaijan, the successor to the Albanian Apostolic Independent Church, are making a trip to the Khojavend region liberated from occupation.

In particular, they will visit the ancient Albanian temple in the village of Tug and perform here a religious ceremony on the Easter holiday.

The trip was organized by the Foundation for the Promotion of Spiritual Values, under the State Committee for Work with Religious Structures.

 

20 April

Parents of those accused of financing ISIS staged a protest

On 20 April 2021, the Grave Crimes Court continued the trial of Samir Gorbunov and 10 more persons accused of financing the terrorist organization ISIS.

According to the parents of the defendants, they are on a hunger strike for 50 days, protesting against the unjustified criminal prosecution.

Today they were brought to trial in handcuffs because at the meeting on February 23 in court they inflicted cuts on themselves with cutting objects.

After the meeting, the parents of the accused went to the presidential administration to protest against the persecution of their children, but the police blocked their way.

The parents claimed that as a result of the hunger strike, Babek Mammadli, Aladdin Amir and Aflatun Bayramov lost 20 kg.

The defendants in this case Aladdin Ibishev, Shahriyar Jabbarov, Aflatun Bayramov, Elgun Ismayilov, Tehran Qasimov, Orkhan Qurbanov, Amin Hasanov, Javid Amanov, Yusif Imanov, Samir Qurbanov and Babek Mammadli were arrested several years ago on charges of participating in the war illegal armed groups. They are charged with Articles 167-2.2.1 (Illegal production, import and distribution of religious literature), 167-3.1 (Illegal circulation of religious extremist literature), 214 (Terrorism) and 218 (Creation of a criminal community) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan Republic.

The trial began in February 2020. However, due to the pandemic, the trial was interrupted for a long time.

 

21 April

Parents of defendants in ISIS financing case protest in front of the US Embassy

On 21 April 2021 parents and relatives of a group of persons accused of financing terrorism tried to hold a protest in front of the US Embassy in Baku.

They believe that their children have been arrested on trumped-up charges and they demand their release. Parents are also concerned about the health of their children, who have been refusing food for more than 50 days. Babek Mammadli, Aladdin Ibishev and Aflatun Bayramov, according to their relatives, have lost a lot of weight.

However, the police stopped the action. Several people were taken to the 21st department of the Nasimi district police department.

The defendants in this case Aladdin Ibishev, Shahriyar Jabbarov, Aflatun Bayramov, Elgun Ismayilov, Tehran Qasimov, Orkhan Qurbanov, Amin Hasanov, Javid Amanov, Yusif Imanov, Samir Qurbanov and Babek Mammadli were arrested several years ago on charges of participating in the war illegal armed groups. They are charged with Articles 167-2.2.1 (Illegal production, import and distribution of religious literature), 167-3.1 (Illegal circulation of religious extremist literature), 214 (Terrorism) and 218 (Creation of a criminal community) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan Republic.

The trial began in February 2020. However, due to the pandemic, the trial was interrupted for a long time.

The trial resumed this year and at one of the sessions, the defendants inflicted cut wounds on themselves, protesting against the unjustified arrest.

 

22 April

USCIRF Pitches Adding Azerbaijan to State Department’s Special Watch List

The U.S. religious freedom body USCIRF recommends Azerbaijan, along with 11 other countries, be added to the State Department’s Special Watch (SW) List, for “their governments’ perpetration or toleration” of severe violations of religious freedom.

The bipartisan commission, created in 1998 to make policy recommendations to the U.S. President, Secretary of State and Congress about global religious freedom, has been including Azerbaijan on its SW list for the second time in a row. Other 11 countries on this year’s SW list include: Cuba, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.

In its annual report issued on Wednesday in Washington D.C. the USCIRF mentioned that some countries used the COVID-19 pandemic to target religious minorities last year. Among its findings, the federal organization said that some governments targeted religious minorities through misinformation campaigns or with disproportionate restrictions during the pandemic.

In Azerbaijan, the government “continued to imprison individuals related to their religious activism,” the report claims. Local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that maintain lists of political prisoners in the country estimate that between 43 and 51 current prisoners are religious activists.

“In 2020, authorities released at least three religious prisoners, including Shi’a Muslim imam Sardar Babayev, who had served his full sentence, and two others released in consideration of the COVID-19 threat. Members of the Muslim Unity Movement (MUM) announced that the government subjected them to increased pressure during the year through summonses, detentions, and arrests on questionable or politically motivated grounds.”

“In one instance, authorities reportedly detained and then arrested alleged MUM member Elvin Muradov for poems and songs he had written about imprisoned MUM leader Taleh Bagirzade. Throughout the year, Rahim Akhundov pursued a lawsuit alleging that he was discriminated against and forcibly dismissed from his position as a staffer at the National Assembly due to his identity as a Christian and role as pastor of a house church. In January, a judge ruled his case inadmissible in a decision that the Baku Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court upheld in June and September, respectively.”

The report also recommends the U.S. Congress to hold public hearings to investigate Azerbaijan’s religious freedom and broader human rights abuses, including its treatment of the MUM; raise related concerns directly with the Azerbaijani Embassy and other government officials; and advocate for the release of all prisoners of conscience.

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NEWS IN MARCH 2021

19 March

USCIRF: Religious freedom in Azerbaijan remains severely impeded by problematic legislation

The U.S. religious freedom body USCIRF urges the Azerbaijani government to amend the 2009 law “On Freedom of Religious Beliefs” to bring it into conformity with international standards.

The bipartisan commission, created in 1998 to make policy recommendations to the U.S. President, Secretary of State and Congress about global religious freedom, has recommended last year that the Department of State place Azerbaijan on its Special Watch List for its ongoing and systematic religious freedom violations.

USCIRF on Thursday released a country update on religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan. While the authors welcomed news coinciding with the release of this report that Azerbaijan pardoned and will release a number of political prisoners, including as many as 31 religious activists, it also mentioned that religious freedom in the country “remains severely impeded by problematic legislation, particularly the country’s 2009 law “On Freedom of Religious Beliefs,” which the government has shown little interest in revising.”

The latest country update also details the many obstacles posed by mandatory registration and other restrictions on religious communities, the continued imprisonment of religious activists, and recent violations committed in the context of the renewed conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

 

25 March

Controversy over the Armenian church demolished in the town of Jabrayil

The Zoravar Surb Astvatsatsin church at its opening in 2017 and in March 2021.

 

On 25 March, quoting the BBC journalist Jonah Fisher, the Armenian National Commission of UNESCO spread a report about the complete destruction of the Armenian Zoravar Surb Astvatsatsatsin Church in the town of Jabrayil. The journalist’s videoreport stated that he had seen on the Internet how the Azerbaijani soldiers demolished the cross placed on the church on 16 November, 2020, and thus partially destroyed the church. Afterwards, J. Fischer visited Jebrail and saw that the church had been completely destroyed. There was only a graveled flat area in the place where the church had once been located.

The fact provoked a considerable reaction in the Armenian and international mass media. The Azerbaijani authorities did not deny the fact, but claimed that it had not been a church there but a chapel that had been built on the occupied land in 2017. It was constructed for the Armenian soldiers stationed there and had no cultural value whatsoever. The Azerbaijani authorities further stated that as soon as the chapel construction on the occupied territory became known, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a protest. Based on the Azerbaijani request, in October 2017, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs visited then occupied Jebrail and documented the illegal construction of the chapel.

 

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NEWS IN FEBRUARY 2021

6 February

The members of the Azerbaijani Albanian-Udin Christian Community have visited Agoghlan Monastery in Lachin

Agoghlan Monastery in Lachin

On February 6, the representatives of the Albanian-Udin Christian Community of Azerbaijan visited the ancient Albanian temple-monastery “Agoghlan” located on the territory of the Lachin district.

At the temple “Agoghlan”, it was held a service headed by Rafik Danakari, the Deputy Chairman of the Albanian-Udin Christian Community, there, the prayers were read and candles were lighted.

Following the service, Rafik Danakari, in an interview with the journalists said that it had been a sacred day for the Udin community,

“For the first time in 180 years, we visited the Agoglan Temple. As our great-grandfathers used to attend it. And we, together with representatives of the community and soldiers who took part in the Patriotic War, came here that day to read prayers and light candles. Thank God, the war was over, our lands were liberated from occupation. We prayed for the souls of those killed in the Karabakh war, wished the recovering to the wounded.”

The Deputy Chairman of the community pointed out that the Armenians have made changes in the temple “Agoghlan” during the occupation, in particular, they have distorted the altar,

“The altar is 3 steps high in the Albanian temples whereas in the Armenian temples, the altar is at a height of 5-6 steps. The Armenians had made changes, they moved the altar. Besides, the crosses had been replaced. They drew the Armenian crosses on the walls. But the structure itself indicates that it is an Albanian temple.”

 

22 February

The new prime minister of Georgia plans to discuss in Baku the issue of the Keshikchi-dag (David-Gareji) monastery

Keshikchi-dag (David-Gareji) monastery

The candidate for the post of Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili said in parliament that a trip to Azerbaijan would be one of his first foreign visits.

He plans to discuss with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev the issue of border delimitation and demarcation and the theme of the Keshikchi-dag (David-Gareji) monastery complex.

“We will have a dialogue with Azerbaijan, our brotherly state. I believe that Mr. Aliyev and the friendly Azerbaijani side will make reasonable decisions, we will be able to hold negotiations and find a common language,” he said.

Garibashvili also accused ex-Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili of betrayal and added that he made decisions that damaged the country.

The medieval monastery in Azerbaijan on the border with Georgia is called Keshikchi-dag, which is considered the heritage of the Christian Albanian culture in Azerbaijan.

For many years, the Georgian side has been insisting on the transfer of two monastic complexes to it, which are located on the territory of Azerbaijan, but Baku considers it impossible.

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