U.S. Department of State Human Rights Report 1998
The Constitution allows
persons of all faiths to practice their religion without restrictions,
and the Government respects this provision in practice for Shi'a
and Sunni Muslims, Russian Orthodox Christians, and Jews; however,
a law on foreigners and stateless persons contains language that
prohibits religious "propaganda" by foreigners. This provision
was reinforced by a presidential decree in 1997. There is no state
religion. The law on religion subordinates all Islamic religious
organizations to the Azerbaijan-based Spiritual Directorate of Caucasus
Muslims. This law also permits the production, importation, and
dissemination of religious literature only with the agreement of
local government authorities. In one case, officials stopped the
importation of a shipment of religious literature by a private individual
not associated with a local congregation. The Ministry of Justice
requires that religious congregations be registered. It continued
to deny registration to a foreign Christian group but allowed it
to continue to function during the year. Registration enables a
religious organization to maintain a bank account legally, rent
property, and generally to act as a legal entity. Lack of registration
makes it harder, but not impossible, for a religious group to function.
The Constitution allows persons of all faiths to practice their
religion without restrictions, and the Government respects this
provision in practice for Shi'a and Sunni Muslims, Russian Orthodox
Christians, and Jews; however, a law on foreigners and stateless
persons contains language that prohibits religious "propaganda"
by foreigners. This provision was reinforced by a presidential decree
in 1997. There is no state religion. The law on religion subordinates
all Islamic religious organizations to the Azerbaijan-based Spiritual
Directorate of Caucasus Muslims. This law also permits the production,
importation, and dissemination of religious literature only with
the agreement of local government authorities. In one case, officials
stopped the importation of a shipment of religious literature by
a private individual not associated with a local congregation. The
Ministry of Justice requires that religious congregations be registered.
It continued to deny registration to a foreign Christian group but
allowed it to continue to function during the year. Registration
enables a religious organization to maintain a bank account legally,
rent property, and generally to act as a legal entity. Lack of registration
makes it harder, but not impossible, for a religious group to function.
Non-Orthodox Christian groups complained credibly of official harassment.
Police in July detained approximately 40 persons belonging to the
Word of Life religious group after they held a religious meeting
in a private apartment. Nine Azerbaijanis and three foreign nationals
were found guilty of holding an "illegal religious gathering"
and were fined. One of the foreigners was expelled from the country.
During 1996 and 1997, articles appeared in progovernment and independent
newspapers crudely depicting non- Orthodox Christian missionary
groups as a threat to the nation; however, in 1998 the number of
such articles declined to near zero. Because of anti-Armenian sentiment
and the forced departure of most of the Armenian population, Armenian
churches remained closed. The Jewish community has freedom to worship
and conduct educational activities and, during the year, enjoyed
the public support of the Government.
Government bias against foreign missionary groups persists. In June
the Government published a booklet with alarmist warnings against
foreign missionaries, listing names and addresses of missionary
offices in Azerbaijan. The book cover depicts a cross symbol and
a dagger in the heart of a map of Azerbaijan.
There was no further action in the 1997 case where an official in
the Baku city prosecutor's office struck two Jehovah's Witnesses
during questioning. Although the official was dismissed from the
case, no action was taken against him.
There is some evidence of strong prejudice against ethnic Azerbaijanis
who have converted to Christianity. Some government bias against
foreign missionary groups persists. Nevertheless, a number of these
groups continue to function.
*Source: Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices for 1998, U.S. Department of State.
* Each report will open a new window. The 2000 report
opens as PDF file. Use table of contents on the left side of the
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