Exploring Azerbaijan's Conservative Cultural And Social Norms

Azerbaijan is a country with a complex political history and a variety of cultural traditions. The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, and its politics have been dominated by the Aliyev family since 1969. The current president, Ilham Aliyev, has been characterised as a dictator, and under his rule, Azerbaijan has been described as an authoritarian state with widespread human rights abuses and civil rights limitations.

In terms of societal conservatism, some traditional practices such as cousin marriages and early marriage preparations are still prevalent, particularly in rural areas. However, it is important to note that these traditions are not universally accepted and are often criticised by the media. While religion may not play a significant role in Azerbaijan compared to neighbouring countries, the country has been described as socially conservative, with a lack of acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.

Azerbaijan's political landscape and societal norms are shaped by its historical context, cultural influences, and the concentration of power in the hands of a few. As with any country, it is essential to recognise the nuances and complexities that exist within Azerbaijan, and further exploration of these topics can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the nation.

Azerbaijan's political system is authoritarian, with power concentrated in the hands of President Ilham Aliyev and his extended family

Under this authoritarian system, elections are not free and fair, civil rights are limited, human rights abuses are widespread, and corruption is rampant. The ruling New Azerbaijan Party, headed by Aliyev, controls all electoral commissions in the country. International observers have never deemed an election in Azerbaijan to be free and fair, with the ruling party maintaining power through fraudulent votes.

The legislature and judiciary, while nominally independent, are firmly controlled by the executive branch. Political opponents are repressed, and the judiciary collaborates with the executive to suppress dissent. The constitution has been amended to abolish presidential term limits, further consolidating Aliyev's grip on power.

The concentration of power in the hands of President Aliyev and his family has led to a lack of accountability and the suppression of dissent. This authoritarian system has resulted in limited political freedoms, widespread human rights abuses, and a lack of checks and balances on executive power.

Civil rights are limited and human rights abuses are widespread in Azerbaijan

International organizations have frequently accused Azerbaijan of violating human rights standards established in international law. Human Rights Watch, for example, issued a report in 2013 accusing the country of imprisoning and harassing political activists and human rights defenders. The report also stated that Azerbaijan had a history of arbitrary arrests, indefinite detentions, severe beatings, torture, and forced disappearances. In 2019, Human Rights Watch described the human rights situation in Azerbaijan as appalling, citing rigid control by the government and the suppression of freedoms of association, expression, and assembly.

Azerbaijan has also been criticized for its treatment of minorities, with reports of hate speech against Armenians and discrimination against the Lezgin and Talysh people. The government also maintains strict control over religious practice, repressing all religions and forbidding clerics from running for political office.

Freedom of assembly and expression of political beliefs are also restricted in Azerbaijan. The government imposes a blanket ban on protests in central Baku and offers demonstrators remote locations on the outskirts of the city. Opposition gatherings are often broken up by the police, with attendees beaten and arrested.

The media in Azerbaijan is also heavily restricted, with most Azerbaijanis receiving their information from mainstream television, which is under strict government control. Journalists who criticize the government are often harassed, imprisoned, and physically assaulted.

Azerbaijan has also been criticized for its treatment of women and girls, who continue to face gender-based harassment and violence.

The country has also been accused of violating international humanitarian law, particularly in relation to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, where Azerbaijani military personnel committed severe and grave human rights violations against prisoners of war and civilians of Armenian ethnic origin.

The country has a history of conservative traditions, such as cousin marriages and early marriage preparations

Azerbaijan has a history of conservative traditions, with cousin marriages and early marriage preparations being two key examples. These practices are deeply rooted in the country's culture and societal norms and have been influenced by factors such as patriarchy, economic considerations, and the importance of family and societal expectations.

Cousin marriages, also known as consanguineous marriages, have been a common practice in Azerbaijan, especially in rural and village areas. This tradition stems from a patriarchal society, where such marriages are considered a way to keep wealth within the family and strengthen familial bonds. Despite the risks associated with genetic disorders in children born from such unions, many Azerbaijani families continue to arrange cousin marriages due to cultural norms and the belief that it will lead to a more harmonious family life. In 2024, however, the Azerbaijani Parliament passed amendments to the Family Code, prohibiting marriages between individuals with common grandparents, with the changes set to come into effect in July 2025.

Early marriages are another conservative tradition in Azerbaijan, with young brides remaining a sought-after commodity. Poverty and financial gain are often cited as reasons for parents pushing their underage daughters into marriage. Additionally, the expectation to marry and societal pressure contribute to this issue. While the legal age for women to marry in Azerbaijan is 17, rights workers and law enforcement officials report a rising number of underage weddings, with some brides as young as 12. These early marriages are often facilitated by unofficial Islamic ceremonies and can have devastating consequences for the young girls, who are ill-prepared for the challenges of married life and childbearing.

The marriage customs in Azerbaijan involve intricate rituals and ceremonies. During the matchmaking process, the sweetness of the tea served indicates the parents' agreement to the union. Once an agreement is reached, the boy's family presents an engagement ring, a shawl, and sweets to the girl. The dowry, consisting of bedroom furniture, home accessories, and personal belongings, is prepared by the girl's mother over several years. The religious marriage registration, known as "Kebin," takes place a few days before the wedding, followed by the "Xinayaxdi" or Henna Night, where the bride's hands and feet are decorated with henna.

While Azerbaijan has taken steps to address the issues of cousin marriages and early marriages by implementing legal measures, these conservative traditions remain prevalent in the country, particularly in rural and interconnected communities. Education, changing mindsets, and enforcing existing laws are crucial to tackling these issues and protecting the rights and well-being of individuals, especially young girls, affected by these conservative traditions.

Azerbaijan's society is extremely patriotic, which may contribute to the support for the current president despite issues like high unemployment and low wages

Azerbaijan is an oil-rich country with a history of authoritarian rule under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, who has been in power since 2003. Aliyev's regime has been characterised by allegations of corruption, human rights violations, and the suppression of opposition parties and a free press. Despite these issues, Aliyev has maintained power and support from the Azerbaijani people, which may be attributed, in part, to the country's strong sense of nationalism and patriotism.

Azerbaijan's society is known for its extreme patriotism, which has contributed to a sense of national unity and pride. This patriotism may also play a role in the support for the current president, despite issues such as high unemployment and low wages. While the unemployment rate in Azerbaijan has fluctuated over the years, it reached a high of 7.24% in 2020, and the average monthly salary in the country is relatively low, these economic challenges do not seem to have significantly impacted the popularity of the ruling party.

The Azerbaijani people's strong sense of patriotism may be a factor in their willingness to overlook issues such as unemployment and low wages. The country's nationalism and pride in their culture and history can be a unifying force, bringing people together and fostering a sense of loyalty to the nation and its leaders. This patriotism may also contribute to a sense of resilience and determination to overcome economic challenges, rather than placing blame on the government or seeking alternative leadership.

Furthermore, the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, led by President Aliyev, has leveraged the country's oil wealth to strengthen the stability of its regime. The revenues from the oil and gas sector have allowed the government to invest in lavish international events and extensive lobbying efforts, promoting a positive image of the country and its leadership. This positive image, combined with the sense of national pride, may contribute to the support for the current president and the ruling party, despite the issues faced by the country.

In addition, the Azerbaijani government has made efforts to promote "interreligious dialogue and tolerance" and has allocated funds for the restoration of monuments in the country. These initiatives may also contribute to the sense of national pride and unity, fostering a sense of cultural and religious harmony that can further bolster support for the current administration.

The country's education system is considered poor, lacking creativity and failing to promote important values and healthy habits

Azerbaijan's education system is considered poor, lacking creativity, and failing to promote important values and healthy habits. The system is said to be outdated and focused on memorization rather than critical thinking and creativity. There is a lack of laboratories and equipment, which has impacted the quality of healthcare, science, and IT fields.

The education system in Azerbaijan does not encourage students to be respectful towards women, nature, or others. It also fails to promote healthy habits such as exercising and healthy eating. Students are not taught about the negative effects of smoking or littering. The system also fails to address behavioural issues, with students often engaging in fights and other negative behaviours without consequences.

The Azerbaijani education system can be traced back to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), which was the first secular democratic republic in the Turkic and Muslim worlds. The ADR existed from 1918 to 1920 and played a crucial role in the development of the country's education system. During this period, Baku State University was established, which became the first modern-type university in Azerbaijan. The ADR also established new schools for girls, hospitals in villages, libraries, and courses for teachers.

However, the current education system in Azerbaijan is far from ideal. It is criticized for its focus on memorization and lack of creativity. There is also a lack of investment in laboratories and equipment, which has impacted the quality of education and subsequent careers in fields such as healthcare, science, and information technology.

The country's education system also fails to promote important values such as respect for women, nature, and others. It does not address issues such as littering, smoking, and other unhealthy habits. Behavioural issues among students are also a concern, with fights and other negative behaviours often going unpunished.

The shortcomings of the Azerbaijani education system have had a significant impact on the country's development. It is essential to address these issues and promote creative thinking, respect for others, and healthy habits among students to ensure a brighter future for the country.

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