Azerbaijan’s ombudsman rejects claims of religious persecution of Armenian detainees

Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman), Sabina Aliyeva, has rejected allegations that people of Armenian origin convicted of crimes in Azerbaijan are being subjected to torture, religious discrimination or forced religious practices, describing the claims as unfounded and biased and warning that they could undermine the ongoing Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process.

The allegations were made by an Armenian human rights activist at a press conference in Armenia on September 4, 2026. The activist claimed that Armenian-origin individuals convicted of crimes in Azerbaijan were being discriminated against because of their religious affiliation, allegedly subjected to torture, and having Christian religious tattoos removed from their bodies. The activist also alleged that they were denied access to the Bible and forced to read the Qur’an.

In comments provided to Caliber.Az by the Ombudsman’s press office, Aliyeva said the allegations were not supported by evidence and constituted an attempt to derail the ongoing peace talks.

“Presenting such serious allegations to the public without facts or evidence is incompatible with the principles of human rights protection. Attempts to link issues concerning individuals to their religious affiliation and to elevate them to the level of a Christian-Muslim conflict are unacceptable,” Aliyeva said.

She stressed that Azerbaijan is a multi-ethnic, multi-faith and secular state where the rights and freedoms of people belonging to different religious denominations are guaranteed equally, and freedom of religion is respected.

The Ombudsman also rejected attempts to associate criminal liability with the ethnic or religious identity of those convicted. According to Aliyeva, criminal responsibility is determined by the nature of the act committed, the evidence collected and the court’s legal assessment, rather than a person’s ethnic origin or religious beliefs.

“It is unacceptable to link criminal liability, as determined by a court, to a person’s ethnic origin, or to portray the punishment that such persons have received for their actions, on lawful grounds, as ‘ethnic or religious persecution’,” the Ombudsman’s office said.

The human rights commissioner also referred to monitoring activities and visits conducted by the Ombudsman’s National Preventive Mechanism at various times involving people of Armenian origin detained in Azerbaijan.

During those visits, confidential meetings were held with detainees, while their medical and psychological conditions were assessed. The individuals were also informed of their rights and freedoms under international instruments in the languages they speak.

According to the Ombudsman’s office, the monitoring found that the rights and freedoms of the detainees were being protected in accordance with international standards and without discrimination. The individuals were also found to have access to medical care and other necessary services.

The Ombudsman stressed that human rights advocacy should be distinguished from political statements and rhetoric, particularly when serious allegations are made without supporting evidence.

Aliyeva said claims involving “torture”, “religious persecution” and discrimination on religious grounds must be supported by verified facts, warning that unsubstantiated allegations could mislead public opinion, undermine peace negotiations and contribute to religious tensions.

She said such approaches were particularly concerning amid the ongoing peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

According to the ombudsman, achieving lasting peace requires not only political and legal agreements but also the development of trust between the two societies and the rejection of intolerance and hate speech. She warned that spreading unverified information could deepen mistrust and damage the environment needed for peace and reconciliation.

“The protection of human rights does not condone the distortion of facts for political ends or the creation of an ‘enemy’ image based on religious affiliation,” Aliyeva said. “Experts working in this field must take a responsible approach to their statements, basing them on objective and verified facts, and avoid rhetoric that could undermine peace and mutual trust.”

By Sabina Mammadli