Azerbaijan's ombudsman comments on unfounded claims by Armenian human rights defender
The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, has commented on unfounded claims voiced by an Armenian human rights defender.
This was reported by the press service of the Ombudsman's Office.
It is noted that the Ombudsman considers unfounded and biased the claims voiced at a press conference held on September 4, 2026, in Armenia regarding discrimination in Azerbaijan on religious grounds against persons of Armenian origin convicted of crimes they had committed, the use of torture against them, the destruction of Christian religious symbols, the failure to provide them with the opportunity to use the Bible, and coercion to read the Quran, and regards them as an attempt aimed at disrupting the ongoing peace negotiations.
It was emphasized that presenting such grave accusations to the public as fact without providing any credible evidence is incompatible with the principles of human rights protection. In particular, attempts to link issues concerning individuals with their religious affiliation and to shift them into the plane of Christian-Muslim confrontation are unacceptable.
"Azerbaijan is a multinational and multiconfessional secular state. The country ensures an equal approach to safeguarding the rights and freedoms of persons belonging to various religious denominations, and their freedom of worship is respected.
It is unacceptable to link criminal liability established by a court with the ethnic affiliation of individuals and to present the punishment they are serving on lawful grounds for the acts they committed as 'ethnic or religious persecution.' Criminal liability is determined not by a person's ethnic affiliation or religion, but by the nature of the act committed, the evidence gathered in the given case, and the court's legal assessment," the statement says.
It is noted that during monitoring visits conducted at various times by the Ombudsman's National Preventive Group, confidential meetings were held with persons of Armenian origin held in custody on the territory of Azerbaijan, their medical and psychological condition was assessed, and the rights and freedoms enshrined in international documents were explained to them in their native language. During the monitoring conducted, it was established that the rights and freedoms of these persons are ensured at a level consistent with international standards, without any discrimination, and that they have access to medical care and other necessary services.
"In this regard, the Ombudsman particularly emphasizes the need to distinguish activity in the field of human rights protection from statements serving political purposes and confrontational rhetoric. Making such grave accusations as 'torture,' 'religious persecution,' and discrimination on religious grounds without relying on verified facts serves to mislead the public, disrupt peace negotiations, and create confrontation on religious grounds.
Such irresponsible approaches are of particular concern against the backdrop of the ongoing peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Sustainable peace is possible not only thanks to political and legal agreements, but also through strengthening trust between societies and rejecting intolerance and hate rhetoric. Presenting unverified information in a religious context deepens mistrust between societies and damages the atmosphere necessary for peace and reconciliation.
The protection of human rights does not tolerate the distortion of facts for political purposes and the creation of an image of an enemy based on religious affiliation. Persons engaged in activity in this field must approach their statements responsibly, base themselves on objective and verified facts, and refrain from rhetoric capable of damaging peace and mutual trust," the statement says.
