A/HRC/16/53/Add.1 guarantee that the rights and freedoms of the members of Jehovah’s Witnesses are respected. (b) Response from the Government dated 20 October 2010 14. In its letter dated 20 October 2010, the Government of Azerbaijan indicated that events mentioned in the Special Rapporteur’s communication have occurred in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan by Armenian armed forces, currently under the control of the Republic of Armenia. 15. The Government of Azerbaijan stated that the Republic of Azerbaijan was unfortunately unable to fulfill its obligations in respect to human rights in the occupied territories. In this regard the Republic of Azerbaijan made declaration on its inability to guarantee the application of the provisions of the international instruments it has joined in the territories occupied by the Republic of Armenia until these territories are liberated from that occupation (the schematic map of the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan was enclosed). The Government of Azerbaijan has constantly emphasized this fact in its report under the Universal Periodic Review and in its periodic reports to the United Nations Treaty Bodies. According to the Government, the Republic of Azerbaijan does not bear the responsibility for human rights violations committed in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 16. Furthermore, the Government of Azerbaijan stated in its response that taking into account that the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan are under control of the Republic of Armenia and the illegal separatist regime, the Republic of Armenia, being an occupying power, was fully responsible for the protection of human rights and freedoms as well as norms and principles of international humanitarian law in these territories. In this regard, the Republic of Azerbaijan drew attention to the grave violations of human rights and freedoms and norms of international humanitarian law committed by the Republic of Armenia in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan and expressed its deep concern for the vacuum existing in the protection of human rights and freedom in those territories. 17. The Government of Azerbaijan stated that for the effective protection of norms and principles of international law and human rights, including the right to freedom of religion and belief in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, firstly the occupation had to be eliminated and Armenian armed forces had to be withdrawn from the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Republic of Azerbaijan indicated that it supported a peaceful solution of the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, based on norms and principles of international law, including territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognized border of states. Only after this, due conditions to ensure human rights and freedoms in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan would appear. 18. In this respect, the Government of Azerbaijan believed it was essential that the Special Rapporteur emphasized in his report to be submitted to the Human Rights Council that the mentioned territories are under occupation and that restoration of sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan and application of its legislation in these territories is a necessary precondition for protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. 19. Furthermore, the Government of Azerbaijan considered that it would be correct to indicate “Nagorno-Karabakh” as “occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan” as well as the correct names of “Shusha”, “Agdara” and “Khankendi” cities of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the report of the Special Rapporteur. 20. The Government of Azerbaijan stressed once again that all bodies and documents referred in the letter – so called “Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh”, “Codes of administrative 6