State Committee on Work with Religious Structures of Azerbaijan expressed its attitude towards the Human Rights Watch report on religious freedom in Azerbaijan. The Committee issued a statement in response to the Human Rights Watch report on Religious Freedom in Azerbaijan within the annual World Report.
The statement says that the annual review of the Human Rights Watch about the state of human rights in the world is regarded positively, as a measure to protect human rights. "Current policy in Azerbaijan in the field of religion, given the presence in society of different religions, is based on freedom of thought, speech and religion. State policy on religion is based on the principles and norms of the international law, international treaties, the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic and other regulations.
Like all modern democracies, the Republic of Azerbaijan aims to ensure and defend the principles of freedom of speech and religion. Azerbaijan supports all efforts to protect freedom of religion, the statement says.
Azerbaijan guarantees freedom of religion, the situation in the religious sphere is stable, the level of religious tolerance in the country is high. The country hosts international conferences and meetings on religious issues; there is no discrimination against citizens for their religious beliefs.
According to the State Committee on Religious Structures of Azerbaijan, freedom of religion in Azerbaijan can be restricted only in cases prescribed by law and in cases of the interests of public safety, public regulations, healthcare, and protection of dignity, rights and freedoms of other persons. This is also reflected in the Law of Azerbaijan Republic "On Freedom of Religion," according to the Committee's statement.
The annual World Report summarized human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide in 2011. It reflected extensive investigative work that Human Rights Watch staff has undertaken during the year, often in close partnership with domestic human rights activists. The 676-page report documents human rights practices worldwide over the past year, with summaries of conditions in more than 90 countries and territories.

AzerTAc