AZERBAIJANI RELIGIOUS OFFICIAL DISCOUNTS RELIGIOUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000252 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF AJ SUBJECT: AZERBAIJANI RELIGIOUS OFFICIAL DISCOUNTS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VIOLATIONS Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Lu for reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Pol/Econ Chief met with State Committee on Work with Religious Associations (SCWRA) Chief Hidayat Orujov on March 3 to raise concern with the GOAJ's selective harassment of several religious groups. Orujov sought to rebut our concerns by pointing to the groups' lack of registration and "dangerous nature." In a revealing comment that reflects the GOAJ's instinct for controlling religion, Orujov said the SCWRA seeks "to prevent any tensions within Azerbaijani society that come from religion." End Summary. ¶2. (C) Pol/Econ Chief met with State Committee on Work with Religious Associations (SCWRA) Chief Hidayat Orujov on March 3 in order to raise the Embassy's concern with a pattern of selective GOAJ harassment against several religious groups. Pol/Econ Chief pointed to the ongoing seizure of Islamic literature, the May 2007 arrest of Baptist Pastor Zaur Balaev, the December 2007 breakup of a Seventh Day Adventist service, and a January breakup of a Jehovah Witness service as events that hint at changes in Azerbaijan,s policy of religious tolerance and freedom. ¶3. (C) Orujov said he was surprised the Embassy is questioning Azerbaijans policy of religious freedom; any concerns regading religious freedom are "groundless." Orujov sid Balaev's arrest and imprisonment is strictly a criminal issue and not under the SCWRA's purview. Orujov remarked that the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Seventh Day Adventists were conducting illegal services, since the specific communities are not registered and the SCWRA was not given advance notice of their meeting. Orujov characterized the Jehovah's Witnesses as "dangerous" because they are conscientious objectors and this creates tensions in Azerbaijani society. Orujov also said that official GOAJ references to some religious groups as "sects" was simply a point of terminology and did not imply that they received different treatment from the GOAJ. Orujov also argued that a variety of Islamic extremists seek to change Azerbaijan's secular constitution, implying that their activities merited a harsh reaction. "Wahabbists seek to shed the blood of a government that they believe rejects Islam. . . We must prevent radicalism," Orujov said. ¶4. (C) Orujov referred to religious tolerance as a "national asset," and said SCWRA seeks "to prevent any tensions within Azerbaijani society that come from religion." Citing the example of GOAJ seizures of Islamic literature and cassettes that he said raise religious tensions and hatred, Orujov stated that "whatever is done against sects is done to protect Azerbaijan's fragile secular system." He also claimed that SCWRA had no responsibility for the seizure of religious literature -- this was done only by the State Customs Committee -- but later admitted that the SCWRA was "consulted" on this issue. He argued that the GOAJ allowed "94 or 95 percent" of religious titles to enter the country but could not allow the import of "anti-religious" books. He said the GOAJ would confiscate any books that "contradict the law on religion." Orujov reiterated a point he has made before -- that he wishes there will be no need for the SCWRA in the future because all religious problems will recede. ¶5. (C) In response to Pol/Econ Chief's question as to whether the GOAJ was considering a new law on religion, Orujov suggested nothing is in the works. He said the media often reports incorrectly on this issue. Orujov said he has asked MPs and journalists if they wanted changes to the law, but they have never given him feedback. Orujov said he would consider any recommendations from the U.S. on amending the law. ¶6. (C) Comment: Orujov is a Soviet-era dinosaur with an impulse for control. His comment that the SCWRA strives "to prevent religious tensions" grants the SCWRA considerable latitude in determining what constitutes such "tensions." In the vast majority of cases, preventing tensions trumps preventing violations of ordinary citizens' right to practice a religion of their choice. "We must protect liberty from liberty," Orujov bluntly told us. Since independence, the GOAJ periodically steps up pressure against religious groups and we are in such a period. The GOAJ has been particularly aggressive toward devout Muslim believers and several Christian groups. We will continue to engage the GOAJ on this issue. DERSE