A/HRC/4/21/Add.2
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community or group concerned the exact reasons for the refusal. Furthermore, the
Government should ensure that these groups or communities have unimpeded access to the
competent courts for a judicial review of the refusal.
98.
The problem of religious material that propagates the perpetration of illegal
activities should be addressed under the relevant laws in force in the country, and not be
the object of scrutiny carried out in an arbitrary manner by the members of SCWRA.
When the content of religious material is found by SCWRA to raise a concern in terms of
its legality, the issue should be brought to the courts for a judicial review in accordance
with applicable human rights and fair-trial standards.
99.
The Government should ensure that religious communities are not unduly deprived
of their places of worship. In cases where such deprivation is justified by lawful reasons
and after judicial review, it provide the community concerned with a suitable alternative
place of worship.
100. Concerning issues related to the clergy, the Special Rapporteur considers that the
selection of imams should be made in a more transparent manner and that the Muslim
communities concerned should be consulted in the selection process.
101. Regarding the right to conscientious objection, the Special Rapporteur urges the
Government to honour its commitment made before the Council of Europe and to adopt
legislation on alternative service in pursuance to the provisions of its own Constitution,
which guarantees such a right.
102. With regard to the particular situation in Nakichevan, the Special Rapporteur is of
the opinion that the local authorities should be further sensitized to human rights norms
and democratic rules of Government. In particular, the Government should support the
organization of training sessions in human rights and the right to freedom of religion or
belief for all members of the local Government by relevant non-governmental or
international organizations.
103. The Special Rapporteur was particularly encouraged by the interfaith engagement
of religious leaders in Azerbaijan. She urges them to continue in this direction and to
associate the other religious communities of the country in this initiative. Moreover,
members of the civil society and women should also be associated with the dialogue so that
it also takes a secular approach.
104. The Special Rapporteur encourages the creation of a dialogue or other form of
interaction between representatives of religious minorities and editors or heads of
electronic and print media in order to clarify misunderstandings and misconceptions about
the purposes and beliefs of the communities concerned and to initiate a spirit of tolerance
towards these communities among the population. Non-governmental organizations
should assist and support religious minorities in arranging such dialogues.