Azerbaijani parliament makes amendments to several laws

/By AzerNews/

By Aynur Karimova

Azerbaijan has tightened control over the spread of religious information and increased attention to the training of religious specialists.

These issues were envisaged in the amendments to the laws "On freedom of religion" and "On mass media" discussed on October 6 at the plenary session of Azerbaijan's Parliament.

Under the amendment made to the 29th article of the law "On freedom of religion," the relevant executive body will demand reports on religious activity and financial reports from religious centers and religious organizations, Trend reported.

Other amendments give the executive power bodies a right to control religious literature, audio and video materials, products and other religious goods in accordance with the law "On regulation of monitoring in the field of business activity and regulation and the protection of entrepreneurs' interests.”

Also, these bodies will take measures to train specialists in religious practices and organize qualification courses.

According to an amendment to the 14th article of the law "On mass media," a reference from the executive power body will be required for the creation of religious publications.

These amendments expand the authority of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations.

State fingerprint registration law amended

The parliament also adopted amendments to the law "On state fingerprint registration in Azerbaijan," according to which the range of persons to be covered by the procedure of compulsory state fingerprint registration has been expanded in the country.

In accordance with the amendment made to the 8th article of the law, compulsory fingerprint registration will be applied to persons who are to be deported from Azerbaijan and to foreigners contained in detention centers for illegal migrants and stateless persons.

Ombudsman's authority expanded

Also, the authority of the Commissioner for Human Rights (ombudsman) of Azerbaijan has been extended.

According to an amendment made to the law "On Commissioner for Human Rights (ombudsman)," the National Preventive Group of the Ombudsman Office of Azerbaijan will have a right to make free, unannounced visits to detention centers for illegal migrants at any time, to meet with migrants, get familiar with the terms of their detentions and draw up reports on the progress and results of the conducted measures.

According to the amendment made to the law "On police" of Azerbaijan and adopted by the parliament, the authority of the Azerbaijani police has been extended. The Azerbaijani police will be responsible for preventing violence during sporting events.

Azerbaijan has also tightened measures against those who will illegally appoint persons to position that require state security clearances. In particular, official persons will be fined 500 to 700 manats, while legal entities will be forced to pay between 1,500 and 2,000 manats.