Azeri public opposes bill banning veils

A group of prominent Azerbaijani politicians, political analysts, rights defenders, NGO representatives and journalists on Thursday appealed to the parliament over what they described as violation of religious freedom in the new draft law On Education that bans female students' wearing veils.

The appeal said the changes to the law stipulating that students, faculty members and employees of local educational institutions are not allowed to wear head-dress or any religious attire blatantly infringe upon citizens’ rights and run counter to the principles of protecting religious freedoms embedded in the Constitution as well as international legal documents signed by Azerbaijan. It called for withdrawing the respective provision from the bill to protect citizens’ rights to profess their creed freely.

“We would like to inform you that adoption of the law with this provision would mean depriving an entire layer of the population [devout people] of the most fundamental human rights - to receive education and to have appearance in accord with their religious beliefs,” the document said. “If such a law passes, the country’s parliament will subject Azerbaijan to unprecedented backwardness in terms of human rights.”

The appeal warned that if the legislation banning veils is enforced, this would marginalize pious people, and, as a factor allowing speculation with people’s religious sentiments, would provide grounds for religious extremism.

On Tuesday, the Center for Religious Faith and Protection of Freedom of Conscience (DEVAMM) issued a statement denouncing the new draft law On Education. It said the new provision was unconstitutional and represented violation of human rights, calling on the public to strive against its passage.

The current law On Education was passed in 1992. The new draft law is to be tabled during the last sitting of the parliament's fall session on Friday.*