Armenia (International Christian Concern) — In the city of Sumgait, Azerbaijan, government officials have refused to approve Peace Church’s application for official registration, thereby preventing the congregation from holding gatherings legally. 

Freedom House ranked the country’s freedom at 7 out of 100. While the constitution upholds religious freedom, the law requires religious groups to be approved by the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, warning that they will be fined or imprisoned if they operate unapproved. Though 96% of the population identifies as Muslim, Azerbaijan has no state religion and prohibits places of worship from opening unless they are approved by the government. 

Though Peace Church prepared and quickly submitted all the necessary documents in April 2025, the state denied their application. 

In July, the committee met and accused the pastor of conducting “secret meetings.” 

“Our meetings were always held openly and transparently,” the pastor responded. 

Officials did not mention whether there were any issues with their application. However, according to Christian Daily International, they told him, “If you do not heed this warning and hold a religious ceremony, you will be punished.” 

Attorney and human rights advocate Murad Aliyev told Forum 18 that Peace Church is one of at least five Protestant churches that have filed registration applications with the state committee and are still waiting for approval. Some of the churches have been waiting for more than two years. 

“We are being restricted from exercising our constitutional right to worship peacefully and to practice our faith,” Peace Church stated in a note. “The lack of clarity and the indefinite waiting period put excessive pressure on our church and potentially violate our rights.” 

Sometimes, gaining legal status takes decades to achieve. A Baptist church in the village of Aliabad finally received a letter of approval, permitting them to meet for two hours each Saturday. The decision came in 2020 after 25 years of waiting. 

Since December 2020, the state committee has only registered one non-Muslim community, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on July 10, 2024. The slow process does not prevent Christians from meeting together outside of church settings. 

“Officials know where they meet,” one Christian revealed. “If people come together anywhere for any reason, people call the police — even if you have ten guests in your home.” 

As believers eagerly wait to legally meet with local believers, human rights advocates and organizations such as the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) are fighting on their behalf, calling for the government to place requirements for religious denominations that do not prohibit the personal practice of religious beliefs. 

By Bella Agnello 

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