A/HRC/4/21/Add.2 page 4 Introduction 1. From 26 February to 5 March 2006, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief carried out a visit to Azerbaijan in fulfilment of her mandate, at her request and at the invitation of the Government. 2. The Special Rapporteur had most of her meetings in Baku but also travelled to Nakichevan and Gandja where she met with local officials, political leaders and religious representatives as well as members of civil society. 3. During her visit, she held talks with the President of Azerbaijan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Education, the Deputy Minister of Interior, the Chair of the State Committee on the Work with Religious Associations, the Prosecutor General, the Chairman of the Supreme Court, the Ombudsman and other officials dealing with questions related to the mandate on freedom of religion or belief. She also had meetings with representatives of different political parties, including the Musavat Party, the Popular Front Party and the Democratic Party. 4. The Special Rapporteur also held talks with representatives of religious communities and religious organizations, including a representative of the Caucasus Muslim Board, the Community of European Jews, the Community of Mountain Jews, the Baku Caspian Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church, the Adventist Church, the Jehovah’s Witness community, the Molokan Community, Hare Krishna, the “Love” Baptist Church, and the Bahá’í community. 5. The Special Rapporteur also spoke with representatives of civil society, including the Human Rights Centre and the Centre for Religion and Democracy. 6. In Nakichevan, the Special Rapporteur met with the Chairman of the parliament of Nakichevan autonomous republic and other officials, specifically those responsible for religious matters. She also met with representatives of the Muslim community and political parties. 7. In Gandja, the Special Rapporteur met with the Deputy Head of Executive Authorities and other officials, especially those responsible for religious matters. She also met representatives of the main religious communities present in the area. On her return to Baku, the Special Rapporteur visited an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Barda. 8. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Azerbaijani authorities for their invitation and for the excellent cooperation they extended to her during her visit. The remarkable practical organization of official meetings, as well as the punctuality of her interlocutors, made her visit intense and very fruitful. 9. She is also grateful for the availability of the different religious representatives throughout her presence in Azerbaijan and for the information and opinions that were transparently shared with her.