Destructive religious trends are direct blow to gene pool of Azerbaijani people: Human Rights Institute Director

Day.Az: What are major challenges in ensuring constitutional right to freedom of religion?

Aytan Mustafazade: It is noticeable we have never had problems with freedom of confession and I'm sure we will never have them. Azerbaijan has always been a tolerant society. It embodied  a synthesis of different cultures and religions starting with Zoroastrianism.

Our problem is that they are too free in their activities. However, we have a right to know about these communities, sects and anticipated consequences of their activities. In addition, people should be more aware of the fact that religious sects have always implied danger. This is not just words.

Q: Have the problem of religious trends acquired urgency in Azerbaijan?

A: Yes. Every ten people may register as a religious organization. The state exempts them from taxes and in general gives the “green light.”. It is as easy as pie to misuse people’s trust and play with their best feelings.

People belonging to one of the world religions share a common understanding of values and principles but sects share most of all the authority of teachers and personal relationships with other members of the sect. Sect is an organization proclaiming religious purposes, but separates itself from traditional religious denominations. It applies to spiritual needs of any normal human being which attracts newcomers.

In fact, the majority of secst have mercantile interests: enrichment “elite” of the sect at the expense of financial and physical exploitation of ordinary members and the accession of power. To do this, a hierarchy is organized - with iron discipline, unquestioning obedience to “teacher”, the principle of withholding of the main tasks (only a small circle of people is aware of truth and gradually sectarian becomes dedicated to plans of “teacher” in order of promotion in steps of hierarchy). This system is very similar to the model of a totalitarian state. These religious establishments are even more dangerous in a radical manifestation than Mafia clans. It is no coincidence that all modern extremist and terrorist organizations are built precisely on the principle of radical religious sects.

All the activities of sects aims to make people like zombi. This may sound fantastic, but this is reality. It enables them to control people’s psyche and manage behavior.

Unfortunately, the work on the psyche of people is very efficient and realistic. International experience and medical studies show that 90% of people made like zombies by sects are not subject to recovery and full return to society. Most destructive sects call for renunciation of attachment to family and home and forbid to sing national anthem, etc. They are taught that they are all one family - this is a sect.

Q: Is a complete ban of all non-traditional religious movements a way out of the situation?

A: Azerbaijan is a secular state. Our religion is separate from the state and freedom of religion is enshrined in our Constitution. We have joineded the European Convention on Human Rights and was admitted to the Council of Europe.

Naturally, freedom of religion it is a private matter of each individual. This is the right of everyone to decide, what to believe or be an atheist. However, paragraph 2 of the ninth article of the European Convention states that the activities of religious communities may be limited if it constitutes a threat to national security, public order and public health. All three of these facts mentioned in this article of the Convention is taking place in the my case.

I cited the example of only one sect, but there are hundreds of sects in Azerbaijan. Non-traditional Christian and Muslim religious trend must also be cited as example.

Perhaps there peaceful and harmless ones among them are, but many, unfortunately, pose a serious threat for national interest and security of our country.

/Day.Az/