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Religious communities advocating high morals must nor fear innovations: Azerbaijani MP

Azerbaijan Materials 23 June 2009 16:21 (UTC +04:00)
Religious communities advocating high morals must nor fear innovations: Azerbaijani MP

Azerbaijan, Baku, June 23 / Trend , J. Babayeva/

Additions and Amendments to the Law on Freedom of Religion will lead to a more civilized regulation of relations between religion and state, Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights of the Azerbaijani parliament said.   

"The changes have concerned some people. Some religious communities assess changes as a violation of human rights. But it does not so at all. If any sect or trend promotes high morals, contribute to cleaning of human spirit, it should not fear anything," chairman of the committee and MP Rabiyat Aslanova said at the conference National Security and Freedom of Religion organized by the Institute of Human Rights.

Under the additions to the Law on Freedom of Religion in accordance with Part 2 of Article 18 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, it is prohibited to disseminate and promote religion which degrades principles of humanity. Another addition stipulates that all religious communities can act only after they are issued registration with the relevant executive authority.

All religious structures should be re-registered until the end of the year.

In the case a religious community violates the Constitution of Azerbaijan, the Law on Freedom of Religion and other laws, finances terrorism, to commit acts of terrorism, extremist acts, they will be eliminated.

Aslanova said concerns of several religious communities shows the negative aspects of their activities.

"They had intentions to create a confrontation in the Azerbaijani society, inter-religious conflict and provoke tension in society, "she said.

She said sending wrong message to society about content and meaning of the changes made to the Law on Freedom of Religion is related to the low level of legal awareness of citizens.

With regard restrictions for performance of religious rites by those who received a religious education abroad, Aslanova said that it is done in order to ensure national security. "Azerbaijan has sufficient human capacity to engage in religious activities. These commitments can be performed by graduates of Islamic University, department of theology of the Baku State University and madrassas, Aslanova said.

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