Azerbaijan Language
Azerbaijan
Many indigenous ethnic groups live in the country. The Constitution provides for the right to maintain one's nationality and to speak, be educated, and carry out creative activity in one's mother tongue or any language as desired. However, some groups have complained that the authorities restrict their ability to teach or print materials in indigenous languages. Separatist activities undertaken by Farsi-speaking Talysh in the south and Caucasian Lezghins in the north in the early 1990's have engendered some suspicions in other citizens and fostered occasional discrimination. Meskhetian Turks displaced from Central Asia, as well as Kurdish displaced persons from the Armenian-occupied Lachin region, also complained of discrimination. A senior government official is responsible for minority policy. ... [Read More]
U.S. Assistance to Azerbaijan – Fiscal Year 2004
Azerbaijan acceded to the multinational Science and Technology Center in Ukraine in 2003, enabling former Azerbaijani weapons scientists to apply for U.S. grant funding to assist in their transition to non-military employment. FY 2004 funding is available for Azerbaijani research grants that encourage regional cooperation between the Azerbaijan National Science Foundation and sister organizations in Armenia and Georgia. Foreign Military Financing will finance equipment and training. The International Military Education and Training program sustains interoperability through English language training, enabling Azerbaijan participation in international security, and peacekeeping missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan
Unregistered groups were more vulnerable to attacks and closures by local authorities. In 2001, religious groups were called upon to reregister with the SCWRA; however, the registration process is burdensome, and there are frequent, lengthy delays in obtaining registration. To register, religious groups must complete a seven-step application process that is cumbersome, opaque, arbitrary, and restrictive. One of the primary complaints is the requirement to indicate a "religious center," which requires additional approval by appropriate government authorities if the "center" is located outside the country. Board members also are required to provide their place of employment. Many groups have reported that the SCWRA employees charged with handling registration-related paperwork repeatedly argued over the language in statutes and also instructed some groups on how to organize themselves. Religious groups are permitted to appeal registration denials to the courts. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
The U.S. and Azerbaijan have a reciprocal employment agreement for diplomat’s spouses. Employment opportunities outside the Mission are limited, however. International companies and organizations generally require Russian and/or Azeri-language speakers, and salaries are often not attractive. However, family members have found employment as English-language tutors for private language schools or on a volunteer basis. Other family members have found employment at the three English-language schools operating in Baku and with nongovernmental humanitarian organizations. Those interested in working at one of the international schools are encouraged to send a résumé and letter of interest to the schools directly. The two main schools are: ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan
Many indigenous ethnic groups live in the country. The Constitution provides for the right to maintain one's nationality and to speak, be educated, and carry out creative activity in one's mother tongue or any language, as desired. However, some groups have complained that the authorities restricted their ability to teach or print materials in indigenous languages. Separatist activities undertaken by Farsi-speaking Talysh in the south and Caucasian Lezghins in the north in the early 1990s engendered some suspicions in other citizens and fostered occasional discrimination. Meskhetian Turks displaced from Central Asia, as well as Kurdish displaced persons from the Armenian-occupied Lachin region, also complained of discrimination. A senior government official was responsible for minority policy. Some members of other ethnic groups also complained credibly about discrimination. Preventing this discrimination was not a government priority. ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan
Section 5 Discrimination Based on Race, Sex, Religion, Disability, Language, or Social Status ... Three Russian and three Turkish television stations and radio programs are rebroadcast locally through Azerbaijani facilities and are seen and heard in most parts of the country. Radio free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Voice of America broadcast without restriction. There are no restrictions on reception of foreign stations via satellite. There is one 24-hour French language radio station in Baku and a British Broadcasting Company station that offers news programs in Russian, English, and Azerbaijani. The Government granted new broadcast licenses to a few foreign radio stations, plus several regional television stations directly under the control of the local executive commission. The Government has not acted for more than a year on the applications to broadcast of more than 10 independent broadcasters. ... [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]
Regional English Language Officers Worldwide -- Office of English Language Programs
English Language Officers (RELOs) organize and participate in teacher training seminars and workshops, advise posts on questions pertaining to English teaching, conduct needs assessments, and offer guidance on all aspects of an academic program. RELOs consult with host-country ministry, university, and teacher-training officials, as well as lecture and present workshops on EFL methodology and practices. RELOs also work closely with English Language Specialists, English Language Fellows, and U.S. Embassy-related English Language Programs (Binational Centers, and US Embassy English Teaching Programs). ... [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]
U.S. Assistance to Azerbaijan – Fiscal Year 2002
Security programs include professional and technical training of Azeri military personnel at U.S. institutions, initially focused on English language training, enhanced airspace management, and enhanced interoperability with the U.S., NATO, and other international organizations. The State Department is providing an additional $3 million from Emergency Response Funds to enhance border security and help counter terrorism under the Export Control and Related Border Security assistance program, including support for provision of a patrol boat for the maritime border guards and radio equipment for land border guards. ... [Read More]
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