U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to hold virtual  hearing on Azerbaijan

ArmInfo.  On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) will hold a virtual hearing on Azerbaijan. Witnesses will discuss religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan. They will also share recommendations for the U.S. government to support religious freedom in Azerbaijan.

Religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan remain concerning. The country's religion law imposes onerous registration requirements on religious communities to engage in religious activities legally. In recent years, following a deterioration of relations with Iran, the Azerbaijani government has arrested and imprisoned a record number of Shi'a Muslims, presumably on the basis of religion. Many of those imprisoned have accused law enforcement of physical violence and other forms of mistreatment. Religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh remain threatened as Azerbaijani authorities develop the region and eliminate Armenian cultural heritage.


In February, USCIRF traveled to Azerbaijan to survey the country's religious freedom conditions and meet with religious communities, human rights activists, and government officials. In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Azerbaijan to the Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom.


For details see 

https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2025- 03/Azerbaijan%202025%20USCIRF%20Annual%20Report.pdf