Religious Freedom Conditions in Azerbaijan
![]() 1740 Monday, 09 June, 2025, 19:20 The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing on Azerbaijan. Religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan remain concerning. The country’s religion law imposes onerous registration requirements on religious communities to engage in religious activities legally. In recent years, following a deterioration of relations with Iran, the Azerbaijani government has arrested and imprisoned a record number of Shi’a Muslims, presumably on the basis of religion. Many of those imprisoned have accused law enforcement of physical violence and other forms of mistreatment. Religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh remain threatened as Azerbaijani authorities develop the region and eliminate Armenian cultural heritage. In February, USCIRF traveled to Azerbaijan to survey the country’s religious freedom conditions and meet with religious communities, human rights activists, and government officials. In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Azerbaijan to the Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom. Witnesses discussed religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan. They also shared recommendations for the U.S. government to support religious freedom in Azerbaijan.
Opening Remarks Stephen Schneck, USCIRF Chair Audrey L. Altstadt, Professor of History, University of Massachusetts Amherst |
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