Com Azerbaijan

Austrian Trade Commission  ...

Senior Trade Commission  ...

Senior Trade Commission (Information Service)  ... [Read More]

International Adoption Azerbaijan

U.S. Department of State [Read More]

Azerbaijan Elections

The U.S. is giving over $2 million to support free and fair elections, including funds for 150 international observers under the auspices of the Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe (IDEE) and the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) to monitor the entry of vote tabulation protocols into the state computer system, complementing the OSCE election observer mission. ...

There are some positive developments. Election roundtables are being televised, NGO-funded training for election workers is under way and domestic election monitors are being credentialed. We call on the Government of Azerbaijan to follow through on its commitment to publicize the penalties for electoral fraud and to act promptly against instances of fraud. ... [Read More]

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]

Azerbaijan International Adoption

U.S. Department of State [Read More]

Azerbaijan (10/04)

Azerbaijan has concluded 21 production-sharing agreements with various oil companies. Eastern Caspian producers in Kazakhstan also have expressed interest in accessing this pipeline to transport a portion of their production. Partner sanctions of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil export pipeline was completed in August 2002 and construction awards were announced. Construction began in the second quarter of 2003, with completion projected by the end of 2004. A Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas export pipeline was sanctioned in February 2003. ... [Read More]

Azerbaijan

According to the IOM, the Government continued to deport illegal Iranian immigrants during the year. Section 3 Respect for Political Rights: The Right of Citizens to Change Their GovernmentThe Constitution and the law allow citizens to change their government by peaceful means; however, the Government continued to restrict citizens' ability to do so by interfering in local and national elections. The country is a republic with a strong presidency, and the Constitution provides for an independent legislature. However, in practice, Parliament's independence was minimal, and it exercised little legislative initiative independent of the executive. The October 15 presidential election failed to meet international standards due to a number of serious irregularities. These included the lack of a level playing field in the pre-election campaign--including a flawed candidate registratio ... [Read More]

V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G

Cyprus is a destination country for women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Traffickers who forced women into prostitution continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas. There was increasing evidence of Chinese women being trafficked for sexual exploitation in Cyprus. The Government of Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Cyprus made some progress in its anti-trafficking efforts over the past year. The new police anti-trafficking unit produced successful results and showed vigilance in combating the problem. Government recognition of the problem improve ... [Read More]

Azerbaijan

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:  As there is no direct commercial air service between the United States and Azerbaijan, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Azerbaijan’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with ICAO international aviation safety standards.  For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s internet web site at www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm. ... [Read More]