Azerbaijan bans entry for 31 Turkish citizens

Azerbaijan has added 31 Turkish citizens to its list of undesirable persons and banned them from entering the country, JAMnews reported on 22 October, citing Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry. Those affected include journalists, religious figures and members of parliament.

The decision follows weeks of strained relations between the allies. Experts cited by JAMnews link the tensions to Turkish criticism of Azerbaijan’s school headscarf restrictions and to Azerbaijan’s partnership with Israel, whose relations with Turkey have sharply worsened.

The ministry’s allegations

According to JAMnews, the Foreign Ministry said the decision concerned statements posted on social media and other online platforms that it described as directed against Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, national security, constitutional order, people and leadership. The ministry also alleged that the posts called for the violent overthrow of the government and incited religious hatred on extremist grounds.

School restrictions and diplomatic contacts

In its 16 October report, JAMnews said Azerbaijani school inspections on 9–12 October had barred female pupils and teachers wearing hijabs—headscarves worn by some Muslim women—from attending classes. The restrictions drew criticism from the Turkish president’s adviser and representatives of Turkey’s ruling party.

Allahshukur Pashazade, chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, defended the government’s position. JAMnews quoted him as saying that school uniform rules did not mention hijabs and that Azerbaijan had no ban on wearing them. He nevertheless said a different decision applied to state schools, while children could study in hijabs at religious schools.