Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.14 / Trend M. Aliyev /
Pupils can not wear hijab when attending lessons in the secondary schools, the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee Chairperson Rabiyat Aslanova.
"Azerbaijan is a democratic, secular and legal state. The state-citizen relations and, in particular, the state's attitude towards religion in Azerbaijan are regulated based on these principles," Aslanova said.
Last Friday, an unsanctioned rally was held in front of the Education Ministry in connection with a recent ban on wearing the hijab at educational institutions throughout the country.
Police arrested about 16 participants of the unsanctioned rally. Five people were released with a warning and the cases of 11 detainees were sent to the Narimanov District Court.
The Azerbaijani education minister Misir Mardanov has accused external and internal forces of aggravating the situation in the country since the banning of the hijab in educational institutions.
Aslanova said that not only parents, also the state is responsible for the future of the children studying in the secondary schools.
"The state is responsible for the formation of children in the future as worthy citizens. Violation of the principles of secular state is non-fulfillment of citizens' obligations before the state," Aslanova said.
According to the Parliamentary International and Interparliamentary Relations Committee Chairman, MP Samad Seyidov, Azerbaijan is a civilized country, and rights of each person in this country are ensured.
"But if we want to develop the education system and bring the world's values to Azerbaijan, then we must ensure bases of a civilized state in high school at the highest level," Seyidov said.
According to him, the Azerbaijani Constitution includes all the issues relating to human rights, and if to act under the provisions of the Constitution, there will be no problem with the hijab.
