The UN Human Rights Committee is concerned about harassment and discrimination against Armenians in Azerbaijan,  the Committee said in the concluding observations on the fourth report on Azerbaijan.

“The Committee is concerned about allegations of harassment and discrimination against members of the Armenian minority and the reluctance of Azerbaijanis of Armenian origin to self-identify as such, as well as about reports that foreigners with Armenian surnames have been prevented from entering the State party regardless of their nationality,” the report reads.

The Committee urges Azerbaijani authorities to take all necessary measures to prevent and combat the harassment of and discrimination against members of the Armenian minority and to ensure that foreigners with Armenian surnames are not denied access to the country on arbitrary and discriminatory bases.

The Committee remains concerned about consistent reports of torture and ill-treatment, including of journalists, human rights defenders and youth activists, which reportedly led to death in several cases, as well as restrictions of media freedom and freedom of assembly.