[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       PRESIDENT ALIEV RECOMMITS AZERBAIJAN TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring to the 
attention of my colleagues recent positive developments on religious 
freedom in Azerbaijan. Members of the Commission on Security and 
Cooperation in Europe, which I chair, raised last week our concern over 
the raids of the Baptist and Lutheran churches in Baku, the threatened 
deportation of foreigners associated with these churches, and the 
firing of a number of Jehovah's Witnesses from their jobs because of 
their religious affiliation. In a letter to President Haidar Aliev on 
November 3, referencing Azerbaijan's OSCE commitments to religious 
liberty, we raised the recent incidents that violate religious liberty 
and asked Azerbaijan to register religious groups that have not been 
able to gain legal status.
  On Monday, November 8, in a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Stanley 
Escudero, President Aliev publicly reaffirmed Azerbaijan's commitment 
to religious freedom, pledged to redress recent problems faced by 
minority religious groups, and gave assurances there would be no 
further religious liberty violations in Azerbaijan. In a statement that 
was carried by the government-controlled media, President Aliev said, 
``I have vigorously warned administrative bodies of the fact that 
arbitrariness on such issues is inconceivable. One cannot restrict 
freedom of conscience and creed.'' Our Embassy in Baku reports that the 
courts have set aside the deportation orders for the foreign 
Christians, and the Garadag Gas Plant has reinstated the jobs of the 
Jehovah's Witnesses.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Ambassador Stanley Escudero for persistently 
raising these issues with Azeri authorities. I also commend the work of 
Political Officer Michael Speckhard who has been a tireless advocate 
for religious freedom.
  I am hopeful that President Aliev's remarks signal a new dawn in 
Azerbaijan and that his country will become the region's beacon for 
religious freedom. The prompt response of President Aliev to these 
recent events is encouraging, and I am hopeful that religious group 
that previously have not been able to obtain legal status will now be 
registered and will be free to practice their faith.

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