“It is well known that the United States, which constantly uses human rights and democracy as an instrument, is generally insincere in these matters. The State Department’s annual reports, on the other hand, are usually more notable for their bias. What is indicated in the reports is not mentioned as the truth, but as the United States wants to see it. The last report of the organization on religious freedoms is a direct continuation of this policy. The points related to Azerbaijan here are almost nonsense, completely based on slander.”
Chairman of Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (ATUC), MP Sattar Mohbaliyev said in his statement to mass media.
According to him, there is an atmosphere of mutual trust between members of different religions in Azerbaijan: “places of worship belonging to different religions operate freely. Our state also provides comprehensive support to both Muslim and non-Muslim religious communities. Also, the head of the country, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, addresses congratulatory letters to them on religious holidays and conveys their best wishes. In a word, representatives of different religions and sects live in our country as a friendly family, closely united around the ideology of azerbaijanism and maintain solidarity. These aspects make Azerbaijan known as one of the exemplary places of tolerance in the world. Therefore, the statements mentioned in the report about Azerbaijan are false, aimed at casting a shadow on the growing influence of our country in the world and forming a negative opinion.”
“It is known that the section of the report about us was prepared by the ethnic Armenian Daniella Ashbakhyan. To expect an objective approach from him, too, would be at least naive. Because he acts with more lobbying interests, leaving Justice aside. In addition, it would be better if the State Department looked up and looked at the unpleasant events or even murders in its own country on religious grounds. In this direction, the situation in the United States is much worse, it is because of religious affiliation that the number of those killed is growing every year. Instead of preventing it, it is simply irresponsible to accuse some state of religious freedoms,” the MP said..