Azerbaijan urges fact-based analysis in USCIRF reports, highlights Armenia's religious vandalism

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov  has called on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to conduct a fact-based analysis in its reports, emphasizing the issue of religious vandalism committed by Armenia.

The meeting with the USCIRF delegation, currently on a visit to the country, focused on Azerbaijan-US cooperation in the field of religious affairs and was headed by USCIRF Chairman Stephen Schneck, Caliber.Az reports citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The discussions on this important aspect of the two countries' bilateral humanitarian relations also highlighted the significance of multiculturalism and religious tolerance in ensuring peaceful coexistence in today’s world.

Mammadov emphasized that Azerbaijan’s historical background, geographical location, and diverse demographics have played a key role in fostering national, ethnic, and religious tolerance. In this context, he stressed the importance of accurately reflecting Azerbaijan’s harmony and peaceful coexistence of various religious communities in USCIRF’s annual reports. He also underscored the role of deliberate state policies in maintaining religious tolerance.

Additionally, Mammadov emphasized the need for a fact-based methodology when studying and analyzing issues in such reports. He stressed that there are expectations for the Commission’s publications to provide a detailed account of the aggression and destruction carried out by Armenia against religious monuments during its prolonged occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

He further noted that these acts of vandalism have inflicted significant harm not only on the religious and moral values of the Azerbaijani people but also on all communities for whom such matters hold deep significance.

By Nazrin Sadigova