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Azerbaijan: Religious Freedom

Asked by Carla LockhartDemocratic Unionist PartyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 1 December 2025UIN 94519

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions her Department has had with her Azerbaijani counterpart on reports of harassment of religious leaders, including instances of torture and sexual assault; and what steps she is taking to promote religious freedom in the country.

Answered by Stephen Doughty

The UK is committed to standing up for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) globally. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We will work to uphold the right to FoRB through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora and in our bilateral work. We regularly raise human rights obligations and commitments with the Azerbaijani authorities.

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