Azerbaijan People
Azerbaijan
There was slight improvement in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report. While some religious groups reported delays in and denials of registration, several churches have indicated that they either received or expect to receive their registration, they are able to import religious literature, and they meet without government interference. However, local authorities occasionally monitor religious services, and officials at times harassed nontraditional religious groups. The generally amicable relationship among religions in society contributed to religious freedom; however, there is popular prejudice against Muslims who convert to non-Muslim faiths and hostility towards groups that proselytize, particularly Evangelical Christian and missionary groups. The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government i ... [Read More]
Central Asia-Caucasus - US Department of State
Kyrgyz Election a "Significant Step" Toward Democracy, U.S. SaysInternational observers also note "tangible progress," respect for rightsWashington -- The United States congratulated the winner of the July 10 elections in Kyrgyzstan, acting President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, as well as the people of Kyrgyzstan. ... [Read More]
U.S. Assistance to Azerbaijan – Fiscal Year 2004
U.S. humanitarian programs in Azerbaijan are specifically designed to assist internally displaced people (IDPs), refugees, and other vulnerable populations. Current programs focus on community development, health and economic opportunities, and support services, including training and business management consultations for vulnerable populations. Other programs include U.S.-funded health clinics to serve needy populations and the provision of humanitarian commodities. The approximate $15 million worth of commodities shipped and distributed to the most needy Azerbaijanis include medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies, emergency shelter items, food, and clothing. ... [Read More]
U.S. Assistance to Azerbaijan – Fiscal Year 2002
U.S. humanitarian assistance to Azerbaijan focuses on relief to refugees and internally displaced persons by supporting primary health care facilities, training in medical service delivery for private doctors and nurses, better housing and sanitation facilities and improved access to credit and business support services to reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance. Assistance includes the provision of commodities through the Department of State Humanitarian Transport Program. The main commodities being shipped and distributed to the most needy individuals, families, and institutions are medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies, clothing, and food. The State Department humanitarian programs in Azerbaijan are specifically designed to assist internally displaced people suffering from the effects of regional conflicts. The total value of all Department of State humanitarian commodities provided in FY 2002 is expected to exceed $20 million. ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan
The law prohibits foreigners from proselytizing, and the Government enforced this provision. In April Baku police arrested Nina Koptseva, a Russian citizen and member of the evangelical Christian Greater Grace Church, along with two others on a busy Baku street. Koptseva was charged with propagating Christianity and deported to Russia; she and the church deny the charge. The Jehovah's Witnesses have had difficulties in holding large meetings in Baku. In September they planned a convention for 500 people, and obtained official permission. Circumstances required them to change their venue; as a result, they received a letter from the SCWRA saying that they had broken the law by changing their plans without notifying SCWRA and by allowing unaccompanied minors to attend. ... [Read More]
V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G
The Peoples’ Republic of China is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation. A significant number of Chinese women and children are trafficked internally for forced marriage and forced labor. Chinese women are at times lured abroad with false promises of legitimate employment and then trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation to destinations throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America, while Chinese men have been trafficked for forced labor to Europe, South America, and the Middle East. A large number of Chinese men and women are smuggled abroad at enormous personal financial cost and, upon arrival in the destination country, are subjected to commercial sexual exploitation or other forms of exploitative labor to repay their debts. They often face exploitative conditions that meet t ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan
During the year, a number of deaths occurred among army conscripts, in which hazing of the victims was suspected. According to press reports, 15 army conscripts died in 2002. Occasional cease-fire violations by both sides in the conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh resulted in 13 deaths and some injuries to both civilians and soldiers during the year. According to the National Agency for Mine Actions, landmines killed 15 persons and injured 14 during the year. During the year, the Government suspended the investigation into the 2001 killing of a senior Chechen military commander, having determined that two Chechen nationals killed him and were fugitives. b. Disappearance There were no reports of politically motivated disappearances. The International Committee of the Red Cro ... [Read More]
Death of the Former President of Azerbaijan
Heydar Aliyev, former President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, passed away this morning, Friday December 12, at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. The United States extends its deepest sympathy to President Ilham Aliyev, to the Aliyev family, to the Government of Azerbaijan, and to the people of Azerbaijan. ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan (10/04)
Since 1992, the United States has disbursed more than $140 million in humanitarian assistance to the internally displaced people, refugee, and war-affected populations of Azerbaijan. U.S. assistance is provided principally through private voluntary organizations. The primary private voluntary organizations now implementing and coordinating U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded assistance programs are Mercy Corps International, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, International Rescue Committee, Save the Children, and the Community Housing Foundation. Likewise, Shore Bank LTD and the Foundation for International Community Assistance provide small- and medium-scale loans to the internally displaced people, refugee, and war-affected populations to increase their economic viability. USAID; the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration; and the Office of the Coordinator for U.S. Assistance to Europe ... [Read More]
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