BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 8. The Caucasus
Muslims’ Board has condemned the report of the U.S. Commission on
International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), concerning the religious
situation in Azerbaijan in 2025, Trend reports via the board.
In the statement of the leaders of religious confessions in
Azerbaijan, representatives of the religious communities living in
the country expressed their serious concern and deep regret over
the ungrounded claims in the mentioned report.
"Given real-life circumstances, we categorically reject the
assessment of the report. The report includes baseless allegations
against Azerbaijan, purported violations of religious freedom and
exertion of pressure on religious communities, reflecting the
biased stance of lobbying by certain groups. This does not
correspond to the realities on the ground and, on the contrary,
fails to acknowledge significant efforts of our country to promote
religious tolerance domestically and globally.
The statement also expressed special regret that the USCIRF’s
report misrepresents Azerbaijan’s efforts to repair and restore all
historical and cultural sites, without distinction, in its
liberated Karabagh and East Zangezur regions.
"These restoration projects are underway, engaging experienced
specialists and architects, with due consideration given to
preserving the characteristics of all cultural and religious
heritage.
In light of all examples outlined above, we expect the USCIRF to
reconsider its approach toward Azerbaijan, objectively reflecting
the situation in our country, based on existing facts and
realities, recognizing our country’s contributions to tolerance and
acknowledging its efforts towards the preservation of
interreligious and interfaith dialogue.
We hope that the necessary measures will be taken to rectify the
injustice being demonstrated toward Azerbaijan through enlisting it
in the Special Watch List, which is absolutely unwarranted and
unsubstantiated," the statement added.
