UN Human Rights Committee concerned about of harassment and discrimination against Armenian minority in Azerbaijan, according to the Human Rights Committee Concluding observations on the fourth periodic report of Azerbaijan.



“The Committee is concerned about allegations of harassment and discrimination against members of the Armenian minority and the reluctance of Azerbaijanis of Armenian origin to self-identify as such, as well as about reports that foreigners with Armenian surnames have been prevented from entering the State party regardless of their nationality (arts. 2, 26, and 27).



“The State party should take all necessary measures to prevent and combat the harassment of and discrimination against members of the Armenian minority and to ensure that foreigners with Armenian surnames are not denied access to the country on arbitrary and discriminatory bases,” the report reads.



The Committee remains concerned about consistent reports of torture and ill-treatment, including of journalists, human rights defenders and youth activists, which reportedly led to death in several cases.



The Committee remains concerned about extensive restrictions on freedom of expression in practice, including:



The Committee remains concerned about restrictions on the exercise of the right to peaceful assembly in practice. While noting that legislation only requires advance notification of a peaceful assembly, it is concerned about reports that it frequently requires permission in practice. The Committee is further concerned about allegations of frequent use of excessive force against and/or detention, and the imposition of administrative and criminal penalties against persons participating in planned or spontaneous peaceful protests.