For the first time in history, the United States recognized Azerbaijan as a country that violates religious freedoms, including it in a special US Department of State. This decision can lead to economic sanctions against this oil nation, which is dominated by Shiite Muslims.
The US Commission on International Religious Liberty (USCIRF) has criticized Azerbaijan since 2013. According to the 1998 International Religious Freedom Law, USCIRF regularly evaluates "systematic, constant and gross" violations, regardless of US foreign policy, and monitors the implementation of its recommendations by the government.
The situation is complicated by the fact that Azerbaijan has his connections with American foreign policy, cooperates with Israel, opposes Iran and signed a brief statement about cooperation.
Twelve countries, including China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Myanom, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, have been given the status of countries of special concern (CPC). USCirf has expressed a "positive perception" of the inclusion of Azerbaijan in this list.
Lilyet Wight, the head of the public relations department in the office of international religious freedom of the State Department, pointed to three main factors that influenced the decision. The laws of Azerbaijan set "difficult requirements for registration" of religious groups, limiting their right to free religion and the choice of clergy. The government is also physically laughing, arrested and imprisoned by religious activists, and those who give up military service through conscience can not serve the country according to their beliefs.
