# CE2004088EN.01041801.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/418 |
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8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/418

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(2004/C 88 E/0425)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2571/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(6 August 2003)

Subject:   Violations of freedom of religion in Azerbaijan

Subject:

Given that:

| — | on 13 July 2003, at a private flat in Gyanja (Azerbaijan), police burst into the meeting of a Baptist group, alleging it to be illegal, confiscating all the group's religious publications, including Bibles and hymnbooks, and arresting two people; |
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on 13 July 2003, at a private flat in Gyanja (Azerbaijan), police burst into the meeting of a Baptist group, alleging it to be illegal, confiscating all the group's religious publications, including Bibles and hymnbooks, and arresting two people;

| — | the two persons arrested, Mr Ismailov and Mr Musayev, were filmed at the police station: they were interrogated for approximately three-and-a-half hours and their identity cards were confiscated. The film was later broadcast on local television; |
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the two persons arrested, Mr Ismailov and Mr Musayev, were filmed at the police station: they were interrogated for approximately three-and-a-half hours and their identity cards were confiscated. The film was later broadcast on local television;

| — | Mr Ismailov was fined 65 000 manats under Article 299 of the Code of Administrative Offences, which punishes ‘violation of the regulations on the creation and functioning of religious associations’; |
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Mr Ismailov was fined 65 000 manats under Article 299 of the Code of Administrative Offences, which punishes ‘violation of the regulations on the creation and functioning of religious associations’;

| — | Mr Musayev, who had recently returned to Azerbaijan from Russia, was fined 165 000 manats under Article 300 of the same code, which punishes ‘religious propaganda by foreigners’; |
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Mr Musayev, who had recently returned to Azerbaijan from Russia, was fined 165 000 manats under Article 300 of the same code, which punishes ‘religious propaganda by foreigners’;

| — | the Gyanja Baptist church belongs to the International Council of Churches of Evangelical Christians/Baptists, which rejects the notion of official registration of religious associations in the former Soviet republics, believing that such registration leads to state interference and unacceptable restrictions on church activity; |
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the Gyanja Baptist church belongs to the International Council of Churches of Evangelical Christians/Baptists, which rejects the notion of official registration of religious associations in the former Soviet republics, believing that such registration leads to state interference and unacceptable restrictions on church activity;

| — | the authorities concede that believers have the right to ‘meet privately’, but insist that such meetings of unregistered groups are illegal even if the laws on religious observance do not make registration mandatory; |
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the authorities concede that believers have the right to ‘meet privately’, but insist that such meetings of unregistered groups are illegal even if the laws on religious observance do not make registration mandatory;

| — | Azerbaijan's international human rights obligations give it no authority to place restrictions on freedom of belief or association. |
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Azerbaijan's international human rights obligations give it no authority to place restrictions on freedom of belief or association.

In view of the excellent relations of cooperation existing between the EU and Azerbaijan, can the Commission state whether it is aware of the above facts and indicate what initiatives, in the context of the cooperation relationship, could constitute an effective and workable means of inducing Azerbaijan to ensure respect for freedom of religion?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(18 September 2003)

(18 September 2003)

The Commission is aware of the arrest of Mr Ismailov and Mr Musayev.

The Commission is of the opinion that dialogue with Azerbaijan within the Partnership and Cooperation framework will provide the best mechanism for addressing the issues to which the Honourable Member refers. Therefore, it is proposed to raise the general issue of freedom of belief with the Azerbaijani authorities at the earliest opportunity.

The Commission is working actively with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions on promoting human rights in Azerbaijan.

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