‘‘Forum 18’’ speaks about repression of religious minorities in Azerbaijan
Recently Judge Imanverdi Shukurov in Zakatala in Azerbaijan has fined two Baptists, Pastor Zaur Balaev and Hinayat Shabanova for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief, the article on rights and freedom “Forum 18” reads.
Government statistics claim that monthly wages across Azerbaijan in January 2013 averaged nearly 400 Manats, making these fines nearly four months' average wages. “However, Zakatala is a poor, remote region with lower incomes than elsewhere. Average local wages for manual workers can be as low as 120 Manats per month,” the article says.
Shabanova told Forum 18 that she could not pay that amount. Judge Shukurov of Zakatala District Court as well as head of the local police department and Zakatala-based north-western regional representative of the State Committee refused absolutely to answer any of Forum 18's questions.
It says that Balaev and Shabanova's husband have both served prison sentences for their faith, and their church has been denied legal status since 1994 – an Azerbaijani record. “No-one at the State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations would explain why individuals continue to be punished for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief,” the organization writes.
According to “Forum 18” Azerbaijani police held raids on the Balaev and Shabanov family homes. They seized religious literature – including Bibles – in Azeri, Russian and Georgian. Police warned those present that meeting for religious worship without registration is "illegal".
“Meanwhile, the Milli Mejlis (Parliament) and President Ilham Aliev continue to amend Azerbaijan's already restrictive Religion Law and other laws. The latest amendments concentrate on making more difficult religious communities' receipt of donations, as well as increasing state controls still further over the distribution of religious literature and other materials,” the article says.
In the U.S. State Department report on "Freedom of religion" it is said that in spite of the fact that Azerbaijan's constitution provides for freedom of religion, in practice, the laws and policies of the authorities restrict this freedom. In 2011, the Azerbaijani authorities carried out raids in some religious services, confiscated religious materials, and harassed and arrested members of the Muslim and Christian communities.
Moreover, when registering, religious groups face onerous demands from the government. Registration process itself is a kind of lever that is used by the authorities of Azerbaijan against unwanted religious groups. The same groups that operate without registration are harassed by the authorities, including fines and lawsuits demanding their closure, the report of the U.S. State Department said.