Azerbaijan has challenged a report by the U.N. special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, saying it contains unverified claims and fails to address damage to the country’s religious heritage.
Shahriyar Hajiyev, first secretary at Azerbaijan’s permanent mission to the United Nations, made the statement during an interactive dialogue in the Third Committee of the U.N. General Assembly, according to Report.az.
Hajiyev disputed the contents of report A/81/376. He said that, instead of including what he called “unsubstantiated allegations,” the document should have addressed damage to religious sites in Azerbaijani territories that were under occupation for nearly 30 years.
Azerbaijan Cites Destruction of Mosques
The Azerbaijani delegation said at least 65 mosques were completely destroyed during that period and that cemeteries were subjected to widespread desecration and looting. The figures reflect the position presented by Baku at the United Nations.
Hajiyev said the special rapporteur’s silence on what he described as documented violations, combined with the inclusion of unverified information, raised questions about the impartiality and objectivity of the mandate.
Officials List 994 Registered Religious Communities
Hajiyev said 994 religious communities were registered in Azerbaijan in 2025, including 956 Islamic communities. The remaining communities were Christian, Jewish, Baha’i and Hare Krishna.
He said Azerbaijan has 2,387 mosques, 16 churches, 23 prayer houses, seven synagogues, one Baha’i place of worship and one Hare Krishna place of worship.
Hajiyev also cited the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate-holders approved by the U.N. Human Rights Council, saying it requires mandate holders to act with objectivity and impartiality.