USCIRF Concerned by Azerbaijan Religion Law Amendments, Condition of Ghazanchetsots Cathedral

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is concerned that proposed amendments to Azerbaijan’s law “On Freedom of Religious Beliefs” would fail to address issues in the existing law, which USCIRF Commissioners raised in a delegation to the country last year. The amendments would also enact additional restrictions on religious communities.

“We are disappointed to see Azerbaijan introduce new restrictions that will only serve to further circumscribe the space for the free exercise of freedom of religion or belief. We urge the Azerbaijani government to reconsider these amendments in light of its commitments to human rights,” said USCIRF Chair Anurima Bhargava. “USCIRF encourages Azerbaijan, as a participating state in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, to request a legal review of its proposed changes from the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.”

 The amendments would introduce new, bureaucratic limitations, including restrictions on religious leaders and on the ability of religious communities to operate in the absence of a religious leader. The amendments would also require religious communities form a “religious center” to perform certain functions. At the same time, the amendments would not change current, already restrictive provisions that require official registration, limit registration to those communities that have at least 50 members, mandate state approval of all religious literature, and prohibit foreign citizens from conducting religious ceremonies.

Earlier this month, Azerbaijan’s parliament reportedly approved the amendments and submitted them to President Ilham Aliyev for his signature.

“USCIRF is troubled by reports concerning the preservation and integrity of houses of worship and other religious sites—such as the Armenian Apostolic Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shusha, which appears to have had its domes removed amid reports of its ‘restoration’ without the input of its congregation,” USCIRF Commissioner Nadine Maenza added. “While the cathedral is certainly in need of repair following the damage it endured as a result of Azerbaijani shelling last fall, it is imperative that it and other sites are properly restored and maintained.”

 In its 2021 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State place Azerbaijan on its Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe religious freedom violations. In March, USCIRF released a country update on Azerbaijan that described problematic legislation on religion, the continued imprisonment of religious activists, and recent violations committed in the context of renewed conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity 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]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2021

USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel Makes Fortune's List of
World's 50 Greatest Leaders

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) congratulated Commissioner Nury Turkel who was named one of Fortune’s 2021 List of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders. Fortune magazine’s annual list is comprised of individuals who “stepped up to make the world better, and inspired others to do the same.”

“This prestigious honor is testament to Commissioner Nury Turkel’s advocacy and persistence on behalf of religious communities persecuted because of their beliefs,” said USCIRF Chair Anurima Bhargava. “Commissioner Turkel’s efforts to stop and prevent the genocide of religious communities, especially on behalf of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in China, has had tangible impact and is an inspiration to us all.”

Commissioner Turkel was recognized for his work addressing China’s genocidal policies against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims. Fortune magazine highlighted his work as a Commissioner urging Congress to ban the imports of cotton, textiles, and other goods from Xinjiang until China ends internment, forced labor, and cultural genocide. In March, USCIRF hosted a hearing on ways in which U.S. companies facilitate the persecution of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in China through forced labor and other practices that undermine international human rights standards in that country. Commissioner Turkel also urged U.S. companies to step up and move beyond due diligence in a recent op-ed published in the New York Times. Commissioner Turkel was appointed to USCIRF in May 2020 by Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

“Fortune magazine rightfully included Nury Turkel in their list of great leaders for his hard work and diligence advocating for religious freedom,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Tony Perkins. “His advocacy work continues to shed light on the plight of Uyghur Muslims in China and elsewhere, and we are proud to work alongside him to ensure the Communist Party of China stops its genocidal actions against the Uyghur people.”

In its 2021 Annual Report, USCIRF called upon the U.S. government to use its authority under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and the International Religious Freedom Act to impose targeted sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for severe religious freedom violations against Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, Christians, and Falun Gong practitioners.

Fortune’s 2021 List of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders, now in its 8^th year, identifies successful leaders that confront new realities quickly and fully, and take action – doing things no one else is doing or has done – with no assurance they will succeed.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity 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].