Domestic

Domestic

Parliamentarian of Azerbaijan ruling party: â€œThe proposals of Venice Commission are unacceptableâ€

16 October 2012 11:39 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Parvin Abbasov â€“ APA. The deputy executive secretary of New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) Siyavush Novruzov commented on the amendments to the law on â€œFreedom of Religious Beliefâ€ proposed by Venice Commission of the Council of Europe at the session of Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis) today, APA reports. Novruzov said that Azerbaijan has always been shown as an example in the world concerning religious affairs: â€œVenice Commission has proposed to make amendment to the law on â€œFreedom of Religious Beliefâ€. It seems that the Commission intends to turn Azerbaijan into a laboratory and wants to realize its own plansâ€.

Novruzov mentioned that according to the proposals of Venice Commission, foreign citizens and residents without Azerbaijani citizenship should be allowed to carry out religious activity and perform religious rites: â€œOne canâ€™t find such practice in any state. Can a mullah from Azerbaijan carry out religious rites in France? He will be immediately detained. If these amendments are so good, they should first implement them in other countriesâ€.

He stressed that the proposals made by Venice Commission are biased and unacceptable: â€œThe issue should be investigated and final respond should be givenâ€.