Aug 29, 2025

USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Azerbaijan

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report: 

Azerbaijan Country Update – Religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan remain highly restricted. The government’s total control of religious life and affairs leaves no room for independent religious affiliations, expression, or activities. This report provides updates on the religious freedom situation in Azerbaijan and highlights recent cases of freedom of religion or belief violations.

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State maintain Azerbaijan on the Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom. In June, USCIRF held a hearing on religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress, intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]

Gender: Male

Current Location: Rawalpindi

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Unspecified/Other

Sentence: Death

Date of Sentencing: January/24/2025

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Blasphemy (Religious Texts)

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Wajid Ali

Extra Bio Info:

Wajid Ali is imprisoned and sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy.

In January 2025, Judge Tariq Ayub sentenced Ali to death for posting content deemed blasphemous on social media and WhatsApp.

Gender: Male

Current Location: Rawalpindi

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Unspecified/Other

Sentence: Death

Date of Sentencing: January/24/2025

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Blasphemy (Religious Texts)

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Salman Sajjad

Extra Bio Info:

Salman Sajjad is imprisoned and sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy.

In January 2025, Judge Tariq Ayub sentenced Sajjad to death for posting content deemed blasphemous on social media and WhatsApp.