Azerbaijan, model of tolerance: HRWF
By Amina Nazarli
A major new report by Human Rights Without Frontiers has hailed Azerbaijan as a "model" of tolerance and multiculturalism for neighboring countries.
The study by HRWF, a leading Brussels-based NGO, includes interviews made with 15 ethnic minorities in the country.
Despite the 95 percent majority of the Muslim believers in Azerbaijan, supporters of all religions enjoy the same rights and freedom in the leader country of the South Caucasus.
Azerbaijan, notes the 80-page report, is a "mosaic" of numerous ethnic, linguistic and religious groups that could be conflicting as it is the case in the North Caucasus.
However, it says that all ethnic groups, such as Quiz, Khanbalik and Budge, live in peace despite their different languages, traditions and cultures.
A much larger ethnic minority, the 120,000 strong Russian community is also cited in the report as an example of a tolerant society such as in education where teaching of the Russian language is now well established.
The NRWF analysis goes on to say the Lezgis, the largest ethnic minority in Azerbaijan, face "no discrimination at the personal level" and the estimated 9,000 Jews in the country are "fully part" of Azerbaijani society.
"Azerbaijan has put in place some mechanisms and policies that aim at bringing closer national minorities and that multi-ethnic diversity in Azerbaijan is a proof that peaceful co-existence is possible in the Caucasus," the report reads.
A "culture of tolerance" that prevails in the country has been the catalyst for economic development, resulting in creation of 1.1m jobs since 2004, with 30,000 jobs in the first quarter of 2014.
In the past seven years, more than 35,000 new enterprises were launched in Azerbaijan with more than 77 percent of new jobs created in the regions.
"Violent ethnic conflicts in other parts of the Caucasus persuaded people that inter-ethnic clashes have no military solution except the gloomy prospect of destroyed settlements and the emergence of refugees.
"There may be lessons to learn from the country's experience of ethnic and ethno-religious diversity that could be helpful for other states that are dealing with comparable diversity within their borders," the research concludes.
With a predominantly Muslim population, Azerbaijan is regarded as one of the most tolerant nations in the world. The country made a significant progress in religious atmosphere and fighting extremism.
Different countries such as the U.S. and Israel have highly appreciated the efforts by the Azerbaijani government to improve religious tolerance in the country.
Last year on November 16, on the International Day of Tolerance, Azerbaijan was listed among the world's top five tolerant countries. Model of tolerance in Azerbaijan was considered a model for the Muslim world. It was underlined that Azerbaijan has succeeded to create a peaceful and friendly atmosphere for people of all faiths and nationalities living in the country.