Society 20:32 28/05/2015

Forum 18: Old Testament is banned religious literature in Azerbaijan

On 14 July Azerbaijan's Supreme Court is due to hear a challenge by Kamran Abdiyev to a fine of 18 months' average wages, for distributing religious literature which has not undergone the compulsory state censorship. "Kamran Abdiyev has no lawyer, and will be representing himself at the hearing," Judge Gulzar Rzayeva told Forum 18 News Service.

According to the article, the five Sunni Muslims are among eight prisoners of conscience being held at the National Security Ministry (NSM) secret police Investigation Prison in Baku to punish them for exercising the right to freedom of religion or belief. Two of the other prisoners of conscience are Jehovah's Witnesses women and the eighth prisoner is a Shia Muslim. State censorship of religious texts is strictly applied and the Old Testament, the writings of Islamic theologian Said Nursi, and some Jehovah's Witness texts are on a police list of banned religious literature. 

The article reads that in the latest extension of the powers of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, anyone organizing foreign travel for religious purposes, including pilgrimages abroad, now requires a license from the State Committee of Azerbaijan.

In summer 2014, 244 Muslim books were confiscated from Abdiyev: "He was acting as a bookseller illegally," the Azerbaijani official – who would not give his name – told Forum 18. "We found that they represented fundamentalist, politicized Islam and propagated inter-religious discord. By our criteria they are banned." But the official was unable to explain why Abdiyev had been punished for distributing uncensored religious books and not on charges for alleged "extremism."

The State Committee official readily acknowledged to Forum 18 that censorship of religious literature exists. “We wouldn't be working here if censorship was abolished."

Following the State Committee "expert analysis," a case was instituted against Abdiyev under Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, Article 167-2.1 which punishes: "Production, sale and distribution of religious literature, religious items and other informational materials of religious nature with the aim of import, sale and distribution without appropriate authorization." Punishments for first time offenders acting alone are a fine of 5,000 to 7,000 manats (nearly $4700 -6700) or up to two years' imprisonment.

Forum 18 writes that the same Judge Rzayeva had rejected the last appeal of Jehovah's Witness conscientious objector and former prisoner of conscience Kamran Mirzayev at the Supreme Court on 24 February. He is now intending to lodge an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg, where three other Azerbaijani Jehovah's Witness conscientious objectors have already appealed over their earlier imprisonment.

In spite of Azerbaijan's Council of Europe obligations by 2003 to adopt a law on alternative service there are no signs that the government of Azerbaijan has any intention of keeping this promise. Asked why she had not upheld Mirzayev's right not to be punished for rejecting military service and asking to do an alternative civilian service, in line with Azerbaijan's Constitution, Judge Rzayeva replied: "We don't have a law on alternative service."

It is also noted that Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers has imposed a new requirement for organizers of religious tours abroad. For this, they must gain a license from the State Committee of Azerbaijan.

Related:

In Azerbaijan, Jehovah's Witnesses can face up to five years in prison for distributing religious literature

USCIRF: Religious repression in Azerbaijan increased in 2014; 11 members of religious groups imprisoned

Forum 18: Restrictions on freedom of religion in Nakhijevan are far tighter than in Azerbaijan

 



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:00
Rain, snow expected in Armenia on Tuesday
Rain and snow are expected in some parts of Armenia on Tuesday and over the weekend. Clear weather is forecast for the next three days....
16:45
Melania Trump expected to skip White House meeting with Jill Biden
Melania Trump is not expected to attend the traditional White House meeting with first lady Jill Biden, CNN reported, citing sources...
16:31
Urartu names new director
FC Urartu has named Davit Shakhbagyan as the club’s new general director. The specialist has been part of the club since 2015, it said...
16:06
Ruling party blocks statement on Armenian prisoners
The parliamentary faction of Armenia's ruling Civil Contract party on Tuesday blocked a statement demanding the release of...
15:30
Negotiations with Snoop Dogg continue for Yerevan concert, ministry says
The new date for the concert of famous American rapper Snoop Dogg in Yerevan remains unknown. The concert, which was initially scheduled for...
15:02
India reportedly ships first Akash air defence missile system battery to Armenia
India marks another milestone in its defence export as it shipped the first Akash weapon system battery to Armenia. This is the second missile...
14:34
Trump picks Kristi Noem as his Homeland Security secretary
President-elect Donald Trump has selected South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as his next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, CNN...
14:15
Four arrested after raids at Yerevan district administration
Four people, including officials, were arrested on Tuesday after law-enforcement authorities raided Yerevan's Kentron district...
13:36
Armenian Foreign Ministry explains Mirzoyan's statement on customs simplifications with Azerbaijan
At the ministerial meeting of the 3+3 regional consultative platform held in Istanbul on October 18, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan...
13:08
Bitcoin tops $89,000
Bitcoin’s record-breaking rally took the digital asset past $89,000 and lifted the overall value of the crypto market above its...
12:36
Armenia sees rise in pneumonia mortality rate
World Pneumonia Day is observed annually on November 12 to raise awareness about pneumonia, a life-threatening but preventable and...
12:13
Opposition urges parliament majority to join statement on Armenian prisoners
The opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem factions in the Armenian parliament have initiated a special sitting on the issue of Armenian prisoners...
11:36
Presidential office denies reports of Vahagn Khachaturyan's hospitalization
The Armenian presidential office has denied reports about President Vahagn Khachaturyan’s hospitalization. “Reports alleging...
11:15
WCC, World Evangelical Alliance and global partners call for immediate release of Armenian prisoners
The World Evangelical Alliance, in collaboration with the World Council of Churches (WCC), Christian Solidarity International, and a coalition...
11:00
Michel, Aliyev discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization
European Council President Charles Michel discussed the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev....
17:17
Armenia wins six medals at World Sambo Championships
Armenian sambo fighters captured six medals, including two silver and four bronze, at the 2024 World Sambo Championships held in Astana,...
16:57
Azerbaijani regime ethnically cleansed Nagorno-Karabakh, new report says
The Azerbaijani regime engaged in ethnic cleansing against the ethnic Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, according to a report released...
16:36
Armenian church leader off to India
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II on Monday travelled to India on a patriarchal visit at the invitation of the church department of Kolkata...
16:16
Deputy FM: Yerevan, Baku still disagree on some issues
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan says that differences remain with Azerbaijan over the draft text of a peace treaty....
15:32
Armenian MP: Azerbaijan toughened rhetoric ahead of COP29
Azerbaijan’s rhetoric has significantly toughened ahead of COP29, Armenian opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan says. “Its causes are...
15:14
Georgia president calls for fresh parliamentary elections
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili on Monday called for fresh parliamentary elections to resolve a crisis sparked by last month's vote...
14:50
Armenian Interior Ministry suspends surveillance bill
The Armenian Interior Ministry has suspended a bill on the mandatory installation of video surveillance systems with 24-hour police access...
14:15
Armenian GM beats Azeri rival at European Individual Chess Championship
The European Individual Chess Championship 2024 is being held in Petrovac, Montenegro from 7-20 November. After 3 rounds, GM Robert...
13:59
Armenian parliament commission's report on 2020 war probe ready, senior MP says
The Armenian parliament commission has completed its report on the outcome of a probe into the circumstances of the 2020 Artsakh war, senior...
13:20
Trump plans to return bust of Winston Churchill to White House
Donald Trump has vowed to return a bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office as a 'mark of respect', the Daily Mail reports....
13:05
Numerous archaeological materials found at excavations in Armenia's Ohanavan
Excavations have resumed at the newly-discovered early medieval rock-hewn tomb in the Ohanavan community of Armenia's Aragatsotn Province...
12:46
Australia plans social media ban for children under 16
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Thursday what he called a "world-leading" plan to implement a social media ban...
12:36
Armenia's Arsen Khandzhian wins silver at World Sambo Championships
Armenian sambo fighter Arsen Khandzhian captured a silver medal at the 2024 World Sambo Championships held in Astana, Kazakhstan,...
12:23
Junior Eurovision: Armenia's Leo had his first rehearsal
Armenia's delegate Leo had his first rehearsal at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Madrid on Sunday. Leo was joined on stage...
17:10
Opposition MP urges end to 'disgraceful' chapter of Pashinyan's rule
Opposition lawmaker Tigran Abrahamyan has reacted to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s threats against Armenia and “derogatory...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}