Legislation and implementation of Azerbaijan's legal obligations towards its ethnic minorities

Abstract

The article is devoted to analysis of the legislation and implementation of Azerbaijan's legal obligations towards its ethnic minorities. The author analysed the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which determines the state’s policy towards minorities, such as the Constitution, laws reflecting the government’s policy towards ethnic minorities and also the debates around the implementation of Azerbaijan’s legal obligations towards its ethnic minorities. The article explains the state’s policy towards protection of languages of national minorities. The relevant provisions, laws, and instructions provide for the right of the people who do not speak the Azerbaijani language, to use their native languages in places where they receive legal or social aid or hold cultural or religious events. In accordance with the Criminal Procedural Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, persons participating in the criminal process, particularly witnesses, victims, suspects, and defendants shall have the right to testify in their mother tongue. In addition, the author looks at legal protection of human rights of minorities. There are different opinions about practical application of the laws and treaties concerning Azerbaijan's ethnic minorities. Thus, the government assumes that ethnic minorities experience no problems. However, according to some media reports, human rights activists and reports from non-governmental organizations, these minorities are subjected to discrimination and attempts of assimilation. Debates around the implementation of Azerbaijan's legal obligations towards ethnic minorities create the impression of irreconcilable differences.