Azerbaijan, Baku, May 6 / Trend , A.Huseynbala/
Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Committee believes that the powers of the Caucasus Muslims Office should be expanded.
"The Caucasus Muslims Office is a religious community. After registration, the Caucasus Muslims Office faced the challenge of monitoring the activities of other communities. The Caucasus Muslims Office should be given special powers to deal with problems with the registration, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights Rabiyyat Aslanova said during the discussion of amendments and changes to the law on "Freedom of Religion."
A new draft has been developed on the amendments and changes to the Azerbaijani law on "Freedom of Religion."
"After the adoption of the law, some 8 changes and amendments were made to the law. There is a need to introduce new additions and changes because of some uncertainties in the law," she said.
About 102 communities passed the state registration in Azerbaijan in 2008. Thus, the number of religious organizations developing their activities in the country has reached 533.
Among religious communities registered in 2008, 101 communities are Islamic and one non-Islamic. This community is called "Kubar" and is the Jewish community operating in Sumgayit.
According to a new amendment to the Article 18, Paragraph 2 of the Azerbaijani Constitution, a ban is imposed on spread of activities and propaganda of communities which degrade and contradict to the principles of human rights.
Under another amendment, religious organizations which passed state registration at the relevant executive authority and included in the state registration of religious communities can function. "The community can function after the registration at the juridical address described in the document," the amendment says.
According to the Azerbaijani Constitution, religious communities can be suspended in case of violation of the law on "Freedom of Religion, or other laws, supporting terrorism, financing of terrorism, acts of sabotage, attacks on individuals, human rights and freedoms and other offenses.
"It is necessary to make additions and changes in the relationship between state and religion, as well as society and religion," Chairman of the State Committee for Religious Organizations Hidayat Orujov said.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at [email protected]