Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights

Ahmad Shahidov visits georgian-orthodox church in Ingiloy-Kotuklu village of Gakh

A well-known human rights defender Ahmad Shahidov, who is on a visit to Gakh, visited the georgian-orthodox church in Ingiloy-Kotuklu village. Ahmad Shahidov met with the villagers in the church, was interested in their concerns, listened to their desires and wishes and exchanged views on the issues ahead.  The residents of the Ingiloy-Kotuklu village […]

The Kurmukoba Holiday, which symbolizes unity of Georgians and Azerbaijanis, is celebrated in Gakh district

On May 6, holiday of both Azerbaijanis and Georgians – Kurmukoba holiday was celebrated in Gakh region. Each Gakh resident, regardless of religious affiliation, took part in the festival. Kurmuk temple was visited in a day of celebration. Originally from the town of Gakh, well-known human rights defender, won the sympathy of the people of Gakh […]

Ahmad Shahidov congratulates Gakh residents on Kurmukoba holiday in Georgian and Azerbaijani languages

On May 6, holiday of both Azerbaijanis and Georgians – Kurmukoba holiday was celebrated in Gakh region. Each Gakh resident, regardless of religious affiliation, took part in the festival. Kurmuk temple was visited in a day of celebration. Originally from the town of Gakh, well-known human rights defender, won the sympathy of the people of Gakh […]

The Kurmukoba Holiday, which symbolizes unity of Georgians and Azerbaijanis, is celebrated in Gakh district

On November 23, holiday of both Azerbaijanis and Georgians – Kurmukoba holidaywas celebrated in Kurmuk village of Gakh region. Each Gakh resident, regardless of religious affiliation, took part in the festival. Kurmuk temple was visited in a day of celebration. Originally from the town of Gakh, well-known human rights defender, won the sympathy of the […]

Ahmad Shahidov attended the Sunday worship ceremony of the Georgian community of Gakh region

Well-known human rights defender, won the sympathy of the people of Gakh during the elections to the Milli Majlis (Parliament) Ahmad Shahidovduring his trip to the Gakh district visited the Georgian Church in Gakhbash village. Attending the Sunday worship of Georgian citizens living in the Gakh district, the human rights defender was interested in their […]

Ahmad Shahidov met with Ombudsman of Albania Mrs. Erinda Ballanca

Ahmad Shahidov, Head of the Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, who is on a working visit to Europe, met with Ombudsman of Albania Mrs. Erinda Ballanca in Tirana on February 2. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on fundamental freedoms, freedom of religion, ethnic minorities’ rights and other issues in Albania. Ombudsman […]

Ahmad Shahidov meets Albanian religious leader Anastasios Yannoulatos

An exchange of views on freedom of religion in Albania was also held during the meeting Ahmad Shahidov, Head of the Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, who is on a working visit to Europe, meets the Albanian Christian religious leader Dr. Anastasios Yannoulatos in Tirana. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on […]

“Mosques in Shusha, Aghdam and Kalbajar collapsed, armenian churches built on site” – Ahmad Shahidov criticized Armenia at the OSCE Warsaw meeting

On September 14, the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) of OSCE participating States, organized by OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) continued its work in Warsaw, Poland. Representatives of OSCE participating States, OSCE institutions, and OSCE executive structures, representatives of inter-governmental organizations, legal professionals, representatives of civil society and researchers from 57 participating States […]

“While armenian church is protected in Azerbaijan, the mosques in Shusha, Agdam have been destroyed” – Ahmad Shahidov spoke at the meeting of the OSCE in Vienna

The third OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting (SHDM) on the topic of National Minorities, Bridge Building and Integration has started its work in Vienna, Austria on 10 November 2016. Representatives of OSCE participating States, OSCE institutions, and OSCE executive structures, representatives of inter-governmental organizations, legal professionals, representatives of civil society and researchers from 57 participating […]

“Europe may benefit from Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism” – Ahmad Shahidov spoke in OSCE

On September 26, the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) of OSCE Participating States, organized by OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) continued its work in Warsaw, Poland. Representatives of OSCE Participating States, OSCE institutions, and OSCE executive structures, representatives of inter-governmental organizations, legal professionals, representatives of civil society and researchers from 57 Participating […]

“Radicalism and extremism have no social base in Azerbaijan” – Ahmad Shahidov

Head of AIDHR spoke at the conference, organized in Lerik region On June 30, Conference on “Youths against religious radicalism and extremism” has been organized by Reformist Youths Public Union in Lerik region. Attended by the representatives of Lerik residents, youths and clergymen, the event was organized with the support of State Support Council to […]

Head of AIDHR makes a speech on mass murder of Muslims in China and Myanmar at OSCE meeting – VIDEO

OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ (ODIHR) two days international conference on “Freedom of Religion or Belief, Fostering Mutual Respect and Understanding” has commenced in Vienna, Austria on July 2. The conference will feature of issues of freedom of religious and belief, inter-religious dialogues at the OSCE participating countries. In his remarks Ahmad […]

Elchin Behbudov holds monitoring in jail of MNS

The head of the Committee against Torture, Elchin Behbudov,within the frameworks of the  monitoring of prison MNS,  visited the former chief of department of the  Caucasian Muslims Office (CMO) Elshan Mustafayev, who is accused of accused  of high treason. According to Bekhbudov, the  arrested did not complain about the conditions of detention and the treatment […]

Islamic Party Asks President to Release Islamists

The Islamic Party asked the head of state to the release the convicted members of the party from prison. The appeal says about the humanism of Islam and the construction of new mosques in Azerbaijan. Against this background, they note the arrest of the faithful, the ban on religious attributes, which is regarded as a […]

European Court rules in favor of Azerbaijani believers

The European Court of Human Rights found a violation of the rights of citizens of Azerbaijan Azer Samedov and Ilgar Allahverdiyev (Ibrahimoglu) for the freedom of assembly guaranteed by Article 11 of the Convention on Human Rights, stated the report of the European Court in the website of this organization. The complaint  due to closing […]

Shahin Hasanli: Radicals discredit Islam

Incitement to hatred between the trends in Islam contradicts the ideas of religion. The basic idea of ​​the Koran is precisely in uniting Muslims around shared values. If a group of people using the slogans of religion, makes a split, it is contrary to the fundamental principles of Islam. Underlying all this nihilism is ignorance. […]

Seminar to counter religious extremism

Training seminar devoted to countering religious extremism took place in the region of Lankaran. The event was organized by the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, and is conducted in one of the “sensitive” areas of the country. The participants of the event, which included religious and community leaders, stressed the need of propaganda […]

Pashazade calls on Karekin II to affect the Armenian authorities

Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office (CMO), Sheykhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade called on the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, to influence the Armenian authorities to withdraw troops from Azerbaijani territories, and take a constructive position in the peace talks. This is stated in the respond letter of Pashazade to Karekin II, released on August 11. […]

Catherine Cosman: Religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan deteriorated over the past few years

Azerbaijan has long presented itself as a model of religious tolerance. President Ilham Aliyev twitted last year that everyone “can see on the example of Azerbaijan how religious and ethnic relations are regulated”. In the meantime, the latest Annual Reportof the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal advisory body that was […]

Interior Ministry intends to fight religious radicalism

The meeting held in the Interior Ministry on the results of six months focused on the fight against crime and maintaining public order. In his speech, First Deputy Interior Minister Vilayat Eivazov said that in the first half of the year were recorded 12,231 crimes. Without specifying the exact name, he said that in the […]

Yunus: religious incidents as if controlled

Despite the declarations of tolerance in Azerbaijan, in fact, the situation is different, said in an interview with Objective TV the Head of the Conflicts Department of the Institute of Peace and Democracy, Arif Yunus. “Tolerance means tolerance of ideas, languages​​, cultures, religions, people or nations. But there is no such atmosphere,” said Yunus. Problems […]

Wahhabi abuser arrested for disorderly conduct

One of the participants of the incident motivated by religious intolerance, Ramzi Zeynalov was arrested in Sabirabad. Recall that on 4 July videos appeared on the Internet of bullying and violence against a Wahhabi whose beard was cut off. The victim was a resident of Kurdamir Javanshir Zarbaliyev and his abuser was Ramzi Zeynalov. Zeynalov […]

Salafit whose beard was cut demands to punish offenders

A follower of Salafi (Wahhabi) , Javanshir Zarbaliyev, who was subjected to physical abuse and was insultesd, demands to punish the perpetrators. This is how he told in interview with turan what happened to him. “When I came to the market, I was surrounded, and that i am not allowed to appear there. Immediately thereafter, […]

Gamet Suleymanov condemns the violent beard-cut of Wahhabi

The head of the Salafi mosque religious community “Abu Bakr”, Gamet Suleymanov, condemned forced beard-cut beard of Wahhabi in Sabirabad. “I condemn it,” Suleymanov told Turan. He stressed that this fact caused universal condemnation, including condemnation on the part of Shiites. Suleymanov noted that the incident is being investigated by law enforcement agencies, and expressed […]

Sheikh condemned the forced haircut of a Wahhabi’s beard

The Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO) head, Sheikh Allahshukur Pashazadeh condemned the forced haircut of the beard of a Wahhabi in Sabirabad. “The one who did it made ​​a mistake and should be punished for arbitrariness,” the sheikh told Turan. Pashazade called it a “provocation” and an attempt of “certain forces” to disrupt stability in Azerbaijan. […]