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Religious Freedom Summary* (1997) The Constitution provides for no state religion and allows people of all faiths to practice their religion without restrictions. 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 January. The law on religion subordinates all Islamic religious organizations to the Azerbaijan-based spiritual Directorate of Caucasus Muslims. This law permits the production, importation, and dissemination of religious literature only with the agreement of local government authorities. The Ministry of Justice continued to deny registration to a foreign Christian group, but allowed it to continue to function. 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 credibly complained of official harassment. Articles appeared sporadically in progovernment and independent newspapers crudely depicting various religious groups, including some non-Orthodox Christian missionary groups, as a threat to national identity, traditions, and morals. The Government arrested a member of the Baku community of Jehovah's Witnesses in November and accused him of attempting to bribe a state official. Prosecutors questioned other Jehovah's witnesses. Members of this community report that an official in the Baku city prosecutor's office struck two of these persons during questioning; one of them sustained injuries. The official was subsequently removed from the case. Because of anti-Armenian sentiment and the forced departure of most of the Armenian population, Armenian churches remained closed. Azerbaijan's Jewish community has freedom to worship and conduct educational activities. There is some evidence of strong prejudice against ethnic Azerbaijanis who have converted to Christianity. A Christian Azerbaijani was detained after being assaulted by another Azerbaijani while he was engaging in religious conversation in a public park. He was taken to a police station, beaten, and sentenced by a judge to 2 weeks in jail. 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. *Source: County Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997, U.S. Department of State |