Editing Azerbaijan (section)

==Government and politics==
{{Main|Politics of Azerbaijan}}
{{See also|Elections in Azerbaijan|Human rights in Azerbaijan}}
[[File:Gobierno de Azerbaiyán, Baku, Azerbaiyán, 2016-09-26, DD 27.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Government building in Baku]]

Azerbaijan's government functions as an authoritarian regime in practice;<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Geybulla |first1=Arzu |title=Uncensored journalism in censored times: Challenges of reporting on Azerbaijan |journal=Journalism |date=February 2023 |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=313–327 |doi=10.1177/14648849211036872 |s2cid=238548904 |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/14648849211036872 |language=en |issn=1464-8849}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rookwood |first1=Joel |title=From sport-for-development to sports mega-events: conflict, authoritarian modernisation and statecraft in Azerbaijan |journal=Sport in Society |date=3 April 2022 |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=847–866 |doi=10.1080/17430437.2021.2019710|s2cid=245453904 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Toepfl |first1=Florian |last2=Litvinenko |first2=Anna |title=Critically Commenting Publics as Authoritarian Input Institutions: How Citizens Comment Beneath their News in Azerbaijan, Russia, and Turkmenistan |journal=Journalism Studies |date=12 March 2021 |volume=22 |issue=4 |pages=475–495 |doi=10.1080/1461670X.2021.1882877 |s2cid=232081024 |url=https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Critically_Commenting_Publics_as_Authoritarian_Input_Institutions_How_Citizens_Comment_Beneath_their_News_in_Azerbaijan_Russia_and_Turkmenistan/13951592 |access-date=23 September 2023 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001094112/https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Critically_Commenting_Publics_as_Authoritarian_Input_Institutions_How_Citizens_Comment_Beneath_their_News_in_Azerbaijan_Russia_and_Turkmenistan/13951592 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Lebanidze |first1=Bidzina |series=Vergleichende Politikwissenschaft |title=Russia, EU and the Post-Soviet Democratic Failure |date=2020 |publisher=Springer Fachmedien |isbn=978-3-658-26446-8 |pages=1–16 |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-658-26446-8_1 |language=en |chapter=Introduction |doi=10.1007/978-3-658-26446-8_1 |s2cid=242740253 |access-date=6 September 2023 |archive-date=6 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906020925/https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-658-26446-8_1 |url-status=live }}</ref> although it regularly holds [[elections in Azerbaijan|elections]], these are marred by [[electoral fraud]] and other unfair election practices.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Umudov |first1=Agshin |title=Politik und Gesellschaft im Kaukasus: Eine unruhige Region zwischen Tradition und Transformation |date=2019 |publisher=Springer Fachmedien |isbn=978-3-658-26374-4 |pages=67–68 |language=de |chapter=Europeanization of Azerbaijan: Assessment of Normative Principles and Pragmatic Cooperation}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Goyushov |first1=Altay |last2=Huseynli |first2=Ilkin |title=Politik und Gesellschaft im Kaukasus: Eine unruhige Region zwischen Tradition und Transformation |date=2019 |publisher=Springer Fachmedien |isbn=978-3-658-26374-4 |pages=27–51 |chapter-url=https://philarchive.org/rec/GOYHDG |language=de |chapter=Halted Democracy: Government Hijacking of the New Opposition in Azerbaijan|doi=10.1007/978-3-658-26374-4_2 |s2cid=211343684 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bedford |first1=Sofie |last2=Vinatier |first2=Laurent |title=Resisting the Irresistible: 'Failed Opposition' in Azerbaijan and Belarus Revisited |journal=Government and Opposition |date=October 2019 |volume=54 |issue=4 |pages=686–714 |doi=10.1017/gov.2017.33 |s2cid=149006054 |language=en |issn=0017-257X}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kamilsoy |first1=Najmin |title=Unintended transformation? Organizational responses to regulative crackdown on civil society in Azerbaijan |journal=Southeast European and Black Sea Studies |date=1 September 2023 |pages=1–20 |doi=10.1080/14683857.2023.2243698|s2cid=261468959 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bajek |first1=Mateusz |title=The meaning behind Azerbaijan's forged elections |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=882681 |access-date=6 September 2023 |work=New Eastern Europe |date=2020 |pages=107–113 |language=English |archive-date=6 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906013403/https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=882681 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Synovitz |first1=Ron |title=Azerbaijan's 'Equal Coverage' Law Stifles Media Reports On Elections |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-elections-equal-coverage-law-media-reports-stifled/30420889.html |access-date=6 September 2023 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=7 February 2020 |language=en |archive-date=6 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906013408/https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-elections-equal-coverage-law-media-reports-stifled/30420889.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Richard Kauzlarich, David J. |title=Azerbaijan's Election Is a Farce |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/11/azerbaijans-election-is-a-farce/ |access-date=6 September 2023 |work=Foreign Policy |date=11 April 2018 |archive-date=6 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906013402/https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/11/azerbaijans-election-is-a-farce/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The government has been ruled by the [[political family#Other countries|Aliyev political family]] and the [[New Azerbaijan Party]] (''Yeni Azərbaycan Partiyası'', YAP) established by [[Heydar Aliyev]] continuously since 1993.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Chris|last=McCallion|title=A small war in Central Asia is a big problem for Joe Biden's narrative about taking on Russia and China|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/azerbaijan-armenia-war-biden-good-vs-bad-china-russia-narrative-2022-9|date=22 September 2022|access-date=22 September 2022|website=Insider.com|language=en|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922223742/https://www.businessinsider.com/azerbaijan-armenia-war-biden-good-vs-bad-china-russia-narrative-2022-9|url-status=live}}</ref> It is categorised as "not free" by [[Freedom House]],<ref name="Freedom_House">{{cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/azerbaijan|title=Freedom House: Azerbaijan|access-date=7 February 2023|archive-date=23 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123035932/https://freedomhouse.org/country/azerbaijan|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="frh">{{Cite web |title=freedomhouse.org: Combined Average Ratings: Independent Countries 2009 |url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=475&year=2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223101637/http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=475&year=2009 |archive-date=2011-12-23 |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=[[Freedom House]]}}</ref> who ranked it 7/100 on Global Freedom Score in 2024, calling its regime authoritarian.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan: Freedom in the World 2024 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/azerbaijan/freedom-world/2024 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Freedom House |language=en |archive-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418214856/https://freedomhouse.org/country/azerbaijan/freedom-world/2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The structural formation of the political system was completed by the adoption of the [[Constitution of Azerbaijan|constitution]] on 12 November 1995. According to Article 23 of the constitution, the [[National symbol|state symbols]] are the [[Flag of Azerbaijan|flag]], the [[Coat of arms of Azerbaijan|coat of arms]], and the [[National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan|national anthem]]. The state power is limited only by law for internal issues, but international affairs are also limited by international agreements' provisions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.courts.gov.az/en/main/page/State-power_3056 |title=State power |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=courts.gov.az |access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806154236/https://courts.gov.az/en/main/page/State-power_3056 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=September 2023}}

The Constitution of Azerbaijan states that it is a presidential republic with three branches of power – executive, legislative, and judicial. The legislative power is held by the [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] [[National Assembly of Azerbaijan|National Assembly]] and the Supreme National Assembly in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The [[National Assembly (Azerbaijan)|Parliament of Azerbaijan]], called Milli Majlis, consists of 125 deputies elected based on [[First-past-the-post voting|majority vote]], with a term of five years for each elected member. The elections are held every five years, on the first Sunday of November. The Parliament is not responsible for the formation of the government, but the constitution requires the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers by Milli Majlis.<ref>(Constitution of Azerbaijan Republic, Articles 104–107)</ref> The New Azerbaijan Party, and independents loyal to the ruling government, currently hold almost all of the Parliament's 125 seats. During the [[2010 Azerbaijani parliamentary election|2010 Parliamentary election]], the opposition parties, [[Musavat]] and [[Azerbaijani Popular Front Party]], failed to win a single seat. European observers [[Azerbaijani parliamentary election, 2010#Campaign irregularities|found numerous irregularities]] in the run-up to the election and on election day.<ref>{{cite news|title=Monitors criticize Azerbaijani elections |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/11/2010118152810836488.html |access-date=8 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111072636/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/11/2010118152810836488.html |archive-date=11 November 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Munich Security Conference 2010 - dett aliyew 0014.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Ilham Aliyev]], Azerbaijan's fourth and current President, succeeded his father [[Heydar Aliyev]] in 2003.]]

The executive power is held by the [[President of Azerbaijan|president]], who is elected for a seven-year term by direct elections, and the [[Prime Minister of Azerbaijan|prime minister]]. The president is authorized to form the [[Cabinet of Azerbaijan|Cabinet]], a collective executive body accountable to both the president and the National Assembly.<ref name="LaPorte2016" /> The Cabinet consists primarily of the prime minister, his deputies, and ministers. The [[8th Government of Azerbaijan]] is the administration in its current formation. The president does not have the right to dissolve the National Assembly but has the right to veto its decisions. To override the presidential veto, the parliament must have a majority of 95 votes. The judicial power is vested in the [[Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan|Constitutional Court]], [[Supreme Court of Azerbaijan|Supreme Court]], and the Economic Court. The president nominates the judges in these courts.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Azerbaijan's system of governance nominally can be called two-tiered. The top or highest tier of the government is the executive power headed by president. The local executive authority is merely a continuation of executive power. The provision determines the legal status of local state administration on local executive authority (''Yerli Icra Hakimiyati''), adopted 16 June 1999. In June 2012, the president approved a regulation which granted additional powers to local executive authorities, strengthening their dominant position in local affairs<ref>{{cite web |title=Azərbaycan Prezidentinin Rəsmi internet səhifəsi |url=https://president.az/ |website=president.az |language=az |access-date=22 December 2018 |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908010300/https://president.az/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Security Council is the deliberative body under the president, and he organizes it according to the constitution. It was established on 10 April 1997. The administrative department is not a part of the president's office but manages the financial, technical and pecuniary activities of both the president and his office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.az/pages/22/print |title=Təhlükəsizlik Şurası |language=az |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=president.az |access-date=24 November 2020 |archive-date=21 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721023237/https://president.az/pages/22/print |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Azerbaijan}}
{{See also|Azerbaijan and the European Union}}

[[File:İlham Əliyevə Türk Dünyasının Ali Ordeni təqdim edilib (2).jpg|thumb|President [[İlham Aliyev]] receiving the Supreme Order of the Turkic World from Turkish President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] during the 8th summit of the [[Organization of Turkic States]] in [[Istanbul]], Turkey, November 12, 2021]]

The short-lived Azerbaijan Democratic Republic succeeded in establishing diplomatic relations with six countries, sending diplomatic representatives to Germany and Finland.<ref name="CSUS">{{cite web| title = Azerbaijan – Foreign Relations| publisher = Country Studies| url = http://countrystudies.us/azerbaijan/36.htm| access-date = 31 May 2007| archive-date = 25 July 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130725090711/http://countrystudies.us/azerbaijan/36.htm| url-status = live}}</ref> The process of international recognition of Azerbaijan's independence from the collapsing Soviet Union lasted roughly one year. The most recent country to recognize Azerbaijan was Bahrain, on 6 November 1996.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bilateral relations |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs |url=http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/foreign_policy/bilat.shtml |access-date=27 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504074309/http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/foreign_policy/bilat.shtml |archive-date=4 May 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> Full diplomatic relations, including mutual exchanges of missions, were first established with Turkey, Pakistan, the United States, Iran<ref name="CSUS"/> and Israel.<ref name="israelmfa">{{cite web|url=http://baku.mfa.gov.il/mfm/Data/113213.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://baku.mfa.gov.il/mfm/Data/113213.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=15th anniversary of Israel-Azerbaijan diplomatic relations |access-date=21 March 2008 |last=Lenk |first=Arthur |date=7 March 2007 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel}}</ref> Azerbaijan has placed a particular emphasis on its "[[Special relationship (international relations)|special relationship]]" with Turkey.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kardas|first=Saban|title=Turkey Develops Special Relationship with Azerbaijan|url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=34116|publisher=Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume|access-date=23 December 2010|archive-date=9 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209000151/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=34116|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Katik|first=Mevlut|title=Azerbaijan and Turkey Coordinate Nagorno-Karabakh Negotiation Position|url=http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav042304.shtml|publisher=EurasiaNet|access-date=23 December 2010|archive-date=9 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209235410/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav042304.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with 158 countries so far and holds membership in 38 international organizations.<ref name="FCO" /> It holds observer status in the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] and [[World Trade Organization]] and is a correspondent at the [[International Telecommunication Union]].<ref name="FCO"/> On 9 May 2006 Azerbaijan was elected to membership in the newly established [[Human Rights Council]] by the [[United Nations General Assembly]]. The term of office began on 19 June 2006.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=https://www.un.org/ga/60/elect/hrc/
 |title=Elections & Appointments – Human Rights Council
 |publisher=United Nations
 |access-date=3 January 2009
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220224503/http://www.un.org/ga/60/elect/hrc/
 |archive-date=20 December 2008
 |url-status=live}}</ref> Azerbaijan was first elected as a non-permanent member of the [[United Nations Security Council election, 2011|UN Security Council in 2011]] with the support of 155 countries.

[[File:Heads of state attended ceremony to release young sturgeons into Caspian Sea 2.jpg|thumb|left|President [[Ilham Aliyev]] and other heads of state hosted by Kazakh President [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] at the [[Caspian Summit]] in [[Aktau]], Kazakhstan, August 12, 2018]]

Foreign policy priorities include, first of all, the restoration of its territorial integrity; elimination of the consequences of occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other regions of Azerbaijan surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh;<ref name="NSC AZ"/><ref>{{cite news | last = Selim Özertem | first = Hasan | title = Independence of Kosovo and the Nagorno-Karabakh Issue | publisher = TurkishWeekly | url = http://www.turkishweekly.net/columnist/2886/independence-of-kosovo-and-the-nagorno-karabakh-issue.html | access-date = 24 April 2008 | archive-date = 3 April 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150403084731/http://www.turkishweekly.net/columnist/2886/independence-of-kosovo-and-the-nagorno-karabakh-issue.html | url-status = live }}</ref> integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structure; contribution to international security; cooperation with international organizations; regional cooperation and bilateral relations; strengthening of defense capability; promotion of security by domestic policy means; strengthening of democracy; preservation of ethnic and religious tolerance; scientific, educational, and cultural policy and preservation of moral values; economic and social development; enhancing internal and border security; and migration, energy, and transportation security policy.<ref name="NSC AZ">{{cite web| title = National Security Concept of the Republic of Azerbaijan| publisher = United Nations| date = 23 May 2007| url = http://www.un.int/azerbaijan/pdf/National_security.pdf| access-date = 23 May 2007| archive-date = 13 January 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140113172319/http://www.un.int/azerbaijan/pdf/National_security.pdf| url-status = live}}</ref>

Azerbaijan is an active member of international coalitions fighting international terrorism, and was one of the first countries to offer support after the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rex Tillerson affirms US support for Azerbaijan's efforts to diversify its economy|url=http://azertag.az/en/xeber/Rex_Tillerson_affirms_US_support_for_Azerbaijan_039s_efforts_to_diversify_its_economy-1046148|access-date=14 April 2017|language=en|date=29 March 2017|archive-date=15 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415012552/http://azertag.az/en/xeber/Rex_Tillerson_affirms_US_support_for_Azerbaijan_039s_efforts_to_diversify_its_economy-1046148|url-status=live}}</ref> The country is an active member of [[NATO]]'s [[Partnership for Peace]] program, contributing to peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} Azerbaijan is also a [[Member states of the Council of Europe|member]] of the [[Council of Europe]] since 2001 and maintains good relations with the European Union. The country may eventually apply for EU membership.<ref name="NSC AZ"/>

[[File:Ilham Aliyev, President of European Council Charles Michel held one-on-one meeting in Brussels 01.jpg|thumb|President [[Ilham Aliyev]] and President of the [[European Council]] [[Charles Michel]] in Brussels, Belgium, April 6, 2022]]

On 1 July 2021, the US Congress advanced legislation that will have an impact on the military aid that Washington has sent to Azerbaijan since 2012. This was because the packages to Armenia, instead, are significantly smaller.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Congress puts the squeeze on military aid to Azerbaijan|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/us-news/2021/07/01/us-congress-puts-the-squeeze-on-military-aid-to-azerbaijan/|access-date=2021-07-02|website=The National|date=July 2021|archive-date=1 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701221216/https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/us-news/2021/07/01/us-congress-puts-the-squeeze-on-military-aid-to-azerbaijan/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Azerbaijan has been harshly criticized for bribing foreign officials and diplomats to promote its causes abroad and legitimize its elections at home, a practice termed [[caviar diplomacy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Disgraced: Azerbaijan and the End of Election Monitoring As We Know It|url=http://www.esiweb.org/pdf/esi_document_id_145.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.esiweb.org/pdf/esi_document_id_145.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|publisher=European Stability Initiative|date=5 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/24/azerbaijan-caviar-diplomacy-for-mps|title=Plush hotels and caviar diplomacy: how Azerbaijan's elite wooed MPs|author=Jamie Doward|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 July 2015|archive-date=5 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705183925/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/24/azerbaijan-caviar-diplomacy-for-mps|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://euobserver.com/opinion/118320|title=Europe's caviar diplomacy with Azerbaijan must end|access-date=4 July 2015|archive-date=30 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130093037/http://euobserver.com/opinion/118320|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/azerbaijan-baku-caviar-oil/25162410.html|title=Baku Smooths Over Its Rights Record with a Thick Layer of Caviar|work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|access-date=4 July 2015|archive-date=8 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108215158/http://www.rferl.org/content/azerbaijan-baku-caviar-oil/25162410.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Azerbaijani laundromat]] [[money laundering]] operation involved the bribery of foreign politicians and journalists to serve the Azerbaijani government's public relations interests.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Project |first1=Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting |title=The Azerbaijani Laundromat |url=https://www.occrp.org/en/azerbaijanilaundromat/ |access-date=6 September 2023 |work=OCCRP |language=en |archive-date=21 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521114127/https://www.occrp.org/en/azerbaijanilaundromat/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Military===
{{Main|Azerbaijani Armed Forces}}
[[File:Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended TEKNOFEST Azerbaijan festival in Baku 46.jpg|right|thumb|250px|[[Azerbaijani Navy]] ships during the 2022 Teknofest Azerbaijan festival in [[Baku]]]]

The National Army of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was created on 26 June 1918.<ref>[http://www.azembassy.com.pk/en/book/?get=c3 ''Azerbaijan: Short History of Statehood''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070718172824/http://www.azembassy.com.pk/en/book/?get=c3 |date=18 July 2007 }}, Embassy of Republic of Azerbaijan in Pakistan, 2005, Chapter 3.</ref><ref>[http://www.calend.ru/holidays/0/0/1393/ Creation of National Army in 1918] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209000152/http://www.calend.ru/holidays/0/0/1393/ |date=9 December 2015 }} {{in lang|ru}}.</ref> When Azerbaijan gained independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan were created according to the law on the armed forces of 9 October 1991.<ref>[http://www.base.spinform.ru/show_doc.fwx?Regnom=2893 Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Armed Forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014084142/http://www.base.spinform.ru/show_doc.fwx?Regnom=2893 |date=14 October 2017 }}, No. 210-XII, 9 October 1991 {{in lang|ru}}.</ref> The original date of the establishment of the short-lived National Army is celebrated as Army Day (26 June).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-06-26 |title=Army Day Celebrated in Azerbaijan |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/1232458.html |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=Trend.Az |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009165438/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/1232458.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2021, Azerbaijan had 126,000 active personnel in its armed forces. There are also 17,000 paramilitary troops and 330,00 reserve personnel.<ref name=Blandy12>C. W. Blandy [http://www.da.mod.uk/colleges/arag/document-listings/caucasus/08(17)CWB.pdf Azerbaijan: Is War Over Nagornyy Karabakh a Realistic Option? Advanced Research and Assessment Group. Caucasus Series 08/17. – Defense Academy of the United Kingdom, 2008, p. 12] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510000120/http://www.da.mod.uk/colleges/arag/document-listings/caucasus/08(17)CWB.pdf |date=10 May 2011 }}</ref> The armed forces have three branches: the [[Army of Azerbaijan|Land Forces]], the [[Azerbaijani Air Forces|Air Forces]] and the [[Azerbaijan Navy|Navy]]. Additionally the armed forces embrace several military sub-groups that can be involved in state defense when needed. These are the [[Internal Troops of Azerbaijan|Internal Troops]] of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the [[State Border Service of Azerbaijan|State Border Service]], which includes the Coast Guard as well.<ref name="cia"/> The [[Azerbaijani National Guard]] is a paramilitary force that operates as a semi-independent entity of the Special State Protection Service, an agency subordinate to the president.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.aliyev-heritage.org/ru/652072.html |script-title=ru:Выступление Президента Азербайджанской Республики, Верховного Главнокомандующего Гейдара Алиева на церемонии, посвященной 5-й годовщине образования Национальной гвардии – Штаб Национальной гвардии Азербайджана |publisher=Heydar Aliyev Heritage Research Center |date=25 December 1996 |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724235004/http://library.aliyev-heritage.org/ru/652072.html |archive-date=24 July 2011 }}</ref>

[[File:Servicemen of the "Yarasa" Special Forces at Victory Parade in Baku.jpg|thumb|Members of the [[Special Forces of Azerbaijan]] during the [[Baku Victory Parade of 2020]]]]

Azerbaijan adheres to the [[Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe]] and has signed all major international arms and weapons treaties. Azerbaijan closely cooperates with [[NATO]] in programs such as [[Partnership for Peace]] and [[Individual Partnership Action Plan|Individual Partnership Action Plan/pfp and ipa]]. Azerbaijan has deployed 151 of its peacekeeping forces in Iraq and another 184 in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web|last=Abbasov |first=Shahin |title=Azerbaijan: Baku Can Leapfrog over Ukraine, Georgia for NATO Membership |publisher=EurasiaNet |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav060409.shtml |access-date=3 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606053322/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav060409.shtml |archive-date=6 June 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Azerbaijan spent $2.24&nbsp;billion on its defence budget {{as of|2020|lc=y}},<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.CD?locations=AZ|title=Military expenditure (current USD) – Azerbaijan|work=[[World Bank]]|access-date=4 September 2022|archive-date=4 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904112419/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.CD?locations=AZ|url-status=live}}</ref> which amounted to 5.4% of its total GDP,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locations=AZ|title=Military expenditure (% of GDP) – Azerbaijan|work=[[World Bank]]|access-date=4 September 2022|archive-date=4 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904040117/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locations=AZ|url-status=live}}</ref> and some 12.7% of general government expenditure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.ZS?locations=AZ|title=Military expenditure (% of general government expenditure) – Azerbaijan|work=[[World Bank]]|access-date=4 September 2022|archive-date=4 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904112423/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.ZS?locations=AZ|url-status=live}}</ref> Azerbaijani [[Ministry of Defence Industry of Azerbaijan|defense industry]] manufactures small arms, artillery systems, tanks, armors and [[night vision device]]s, aviation bombs, UAVs/unmanned aerial vehicle, various military vehicles and military planes and helicopters.<ref>{{cite web| title = Azerbaijan to start manufacturing arms, military hardware in 2008| publisher = BBC Monitoring Service| url = http://www.un-az.org/undp/bulnews55/en3.php| access-date = 26 January 2008| archive-date = 11 February 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120211164545/http://www.un-az.org/undp/bulnews55/en3.php| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Azerbaijan to produce tanks, aviation bombs and pilotless vehicles in 2009 |publisher=panarmenian |url=http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=28123 |access-date=24 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109213303/http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=28123 |archive-date=9 January 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title = Uzeir Jafarov: "Azerbaijan will be unable to produce competitive military technique in the next five years"| publisher = Today.Az| url = http://www.today.az/news/business/47845.html| access-date = 26 September 2008| archive-date = 23 March 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090323051051/http://www.today.az/news/business/47845.html| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title = President Ilham Aliyev attends the openings of several defense-related facilities| publisher = Today.Az| url = http://www.today.az/news/politics/81912.html| access-date = 4 March 2011| archive-date = 9 December 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151209000151/http://www.today.az/news/politics/81912.html| url-status = live}}</ref>

===Human rights and freedom===
{{Main|Human rights in Azerbaijan}}
[[File:Rashadat Akhundov.jpg|thumb|[[Rashadat Akhundov]], the co-founder of [[Nida Civic Movement]], was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment on 6 May 2014.]]
The constitution claims to guarantee freedom of speech, but this is denied in practice. After several years of decline in press and media freedom, in 2014, the media environment deteriorated rapidly under a governmental campaign to silence any opposition and criticism, even while the country led the Committee of Ministers of the [[Council of Europe]] (May–November 2014). Spurious legal charges and impunity in violence against journalists have remained the norm.<ref name=pace>Parliamentary Assembly of the [[Council of Europe]], [http://www.cfom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PACE-HORSLEY-FINAL-2014-REPORT-AAC-25_14-Flego-protection-of-media-freedom-18-June.pdf The Protection of media freedom in Europe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702011459/http://www.cfom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PACE-HORSLEY-FINAL-2014-REPORT-AAC-25_14-Flego-protection-of-media-freedom-18-June.pdf |date=2 July 2016 }}.Background report prepared by Mr William Horsley, special representative for media freedom of the [[Association of European Journalists]]</ref> All foreign broadcasts are banned in the country.<ref name=FH>[[Freedom House]], [https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2015/azerbaijan Azerbaijan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910091140/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2015/azerbaijan |date=10 September 2015 }} 2015 Press Freedom report</ref> According to the 2013 [[Freedom House]] Freedom of the Press report, Azerbaijan's press freedom status is "not free", and Azerbaijan ranks 177th out of 196 countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Freedom of the Press 2013|url=https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FOTP%202013%20Full%20Report.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FOTP%202013%20Full%20Report.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|publisher=Freedom House}}</ref> [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] and [[Voice of America]] are banned in Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Threat to retransmission of BBC, Voice of America and Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe|date=17 October 2006|url=https://rsf.org/en/news/threat-retransmission-bbc-voice-america-and-radio-libertyradio-free-europe|publisher=Reporters Without Borders|access-date=25 June 2016|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919083631/https://rsf.org/en/news/threat-retransmission-bbc-voice-america-and-radio-libertyradio-free-europe|url-status=dead}}</ref> Discrimination against [[LGBT rights in Azerbaijan|LGBT people]] in Azerbaijan is widespread.<ref>{{cite news |title=Azerbaijan: Anti-Gay Crackdown |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/10/03/azerbaijan-anti-gay-crackdown |publisher=Human Rights Watch |date=3 October 2017 |access-date=18 August 2019 |archive-date=30 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730175440/https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/10/03/azerbaijan-anti-gay-crackdown |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Azerbaijan named most anti-LGBT+ country in Europe |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/azerbaijan-worst-country-gay-lgbt-ilga-europe-law-a8912456.html |work=The Independent |date=13 May 2019 |access-date=18 August 2019 |archive-date=18 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818121447/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/azerbaijan-worst-country-gay-lgbt-ilga-europe-law-a8912456.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Christianity is officially recognized. All religious communities are required to register to be allowed to meet, under the risk of imprisonment. This registration is often denied. "Racial discrimination contributes to the country's lack of religious freedom, since many of the Christians are ethnic Armenian or Russian, rather than Azeri Muslim".<ref>{{cite web |title=Azerbaijan |url=https://www.vomcanada.com/azerbaijan.htm |website=The Voice of the Martyrs Canada |access-date=9 March 2020 |archive-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928094805/https://www.vomcanada.com/azerbaijan.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2018 Report on International Religious Freedom: Azerbaijan |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-report-on-international-religious-freedom/azerbaijan/ |website=US Department of State |access-date=9 March 2020 |archive-date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018124006/https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-report-on-international-religious-freedom/azerbaijan/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the last few years,{{when|date=December 2017}} three journalists were killed and several prosecuted in trials described as unfair by international human rights organizations. Azerbaijan had the largest number of journalists imprisoned in Europe in 2015, according to the [[Committee to Protect Journalists]], and is the 5th most censored country in the world, ahead of Iran and China.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ognianova|first1=Nina|title=Baku 2015: Press freedom, Azerbaijan, and the European Games|date=11 June 2015|url=https://cpj.org/blog/2015/06/baku-2015-press-freedom-azerbaijan-and-the-europea.php|publisher=Committee to Protect Journalists|access-date=23 February 2016|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303070617/https://cpj.org/blog/2015/06/baku-2015-press-freedom-azerbaijan-and-the-europea.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Some critical journalists have been [[COVID-19 misinformation#Efforts to combat misinformation|arrested]] for their coverage of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Azerbaijan]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Azerbaijan: Crackdown on Critics Amid Pandemic |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/16/azerbaijan-crackdown-critics-amid-pandemic |publisher=Human Rights Watch |date=16 April 2020 |access-date=17 May 2020 |archive-date=21 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521213340/https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/16/azerbaijan-crackdown-critics-amid-pandemic |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Azerbaijan abuses quarantine rules to jail critical journalists and bloggers |url=https://ipi.media/azerbaijan-abuses-quarantine-rules-to-jail-critical-journalists-and-bloggers/ |publisher=[[International Press Institute]] |date=23 April 2020 |access-date=17 May 2020 |archive-date=3 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503130216/https://ipi.media/azerbaijan-abuses-quarantine-rules-to-jail-critical-journalists-and-bloggers/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A report by an [[Amnesty International]] researcher in October 2015 points to "...the severe deterioration of human rights in Azerbaijan over the past few years. Sadly Azerbaijan has been allowed to get away with unprecedented levels of repression and in the process almost wipe out its civil society."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nozadze|first1=Natalia|title=Azerbaijan closes its doors|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/10/azerbaijan-closes-its-doors/|website=News|date=8 October 2015|publisher=Amnesty International|access-date=15 June 2016|archive-date=17 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617160207/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/10/azerbaijan-closes-its-doors/|url-status=live}}</ref> Amnesty's 2015/16 annual report<ref>{{cite web|last1=Amnesty|first1=International|title=Annual report on Azerbaijan|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/europe-and-central-asia/azerbaijan/|publisher=Amnesty International|access-date=15 June 2016|archive-date=17 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617162639/https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/europe-and-central-asia/azerbaijan/|url-status=live}}</ref> on the country stated "... persecution of political dissent continued. Human rights organizations remained unable to resume their work. At least 18 prisoners of conscience remained in detention at the end of the year. Reprisals against independent journalists and activists persisted both in the country and abroad, while their family members also faced harassment and arrests. International human rights monitors were barred and expelled from the country. Reports of torture and other ill-treatment persisted."<ref>{{cite web |title=Amnesty International Report 2015/16 – Azerbaijan |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/56d05b753f.html |publisher=Amnesty International |access-date=29 April 2022 |date=24 February 2016 |via=Refworld |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326035918/https://www.refworld.org/docid/56d05b753f.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[The Guardian]]'' reported in April 2017 that "Azerbaijan's ruling elite operated a secret $2.9bn (£2.2bn) scheme to pay prominent Europeans, buy luxury goods and launder money through a network of opaque British companies .... Leaked data shows that the Azerbaijani leadership, accused of serial human rights abuses, systemic corruption and rigging elections, made more than 16,000 covert payments from 2012 to 2014. Some of this money went to politicians and journalists, as part of an international lobbying operation to deflect criticism of Azerbaijan's president, Ilham Aliyev, and to promote a positive image of his oil-rich country." There was no suggestion that all recipients were aware of the source of the money as it arrived via a disguised route.<ref name="Gdn4917">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/04/uk-at-centre-of-secret-3bn-azerbaijani-money-laundering-and-lobbying-scheme|title=UK at centre of secret $3bn Azerbaijani money laundering and lobbying scheme|last1=Harding|first1=Luke|last2=Barr|first2=Caelainn|last3=Nagapetyants|first3=Dina|date=4 September 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 December 2017}}</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan}}
[[File:Economic Regions of Azerbaijan (2021; labelled).png|thumb|upright=1.8| Azerbaijan is divided into 14 economic regions.]]
There are 14 economic regions; 66 [[Raion|rayons]] ({{lang|az|rayonlar}}, singular {{lang|az|rayon}}) and 11 cities ({{lang|az|şəhərlər}}, singular {{lang|az|şəhər}}) under the direct authority of the republic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azstat.org/statinfo/demoqraphic/en/001_1.shtml |title=The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Administrative and territorial units of Azerbaijan Republic |publisher=Azstat.org |access-date=22 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512043157/http://www.azstat.org/statinfo/demoqraphic/en/001_1.shtml |archive-date=12 May 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Moreover, Azerbaijan includes the [[Autonomous Republic]] ({{lang|az|muxtar respublika}}) of [[Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic|Nakhchivan]].<ref name="cia"/> The President of Azerbaijan appoints the governors of these units, while the government of Nakhchivan is elected and approved by the parliament of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
{{div col|colwidth=20em|content=
* [[Baku Economic Region]]
** [[Baku]]{{efn|name="control"}}
* [[Absheron-Khizi Economic Region]]
** [[Absheron District|Absheron]] (Abşeron)
** [[Khizi District|Khizi]] (Xızı)
** [[Sumgait]]{{efn|name="control"}} (Sumqayıt)
* [[Central Aran Economic Region]]
** [[Agdash District|Aghdash]] (Ağdaş)
** [[Goychay District|Goychay]] (Göyçay)
** [[Kurdamir District|Kurdamir]] (Kürdəmir)
** [[Ujar District|Ujar]] (Ucar)
** [[Yevlakh District|Yevlakh]] (Yevlax)
** [[Yevlakh]]{{efn|name="control"}} (Yevlax; city)
** [[Zardab District|Zardab]] (Zərdab)
** [[Mingachevir]]{{efn|name="control"}} (Mingəçevir)
* [[Mil-Mughan Economic Region]]
** [[Beylagan District|Beylagan]] (Beyləqan)
** [[Imishli District|Imishli]] (İmişli)
** [[Saatly District|Saatly]] (Saatlı)
** [[Sabirabad District|Sabirabad]] (Sabirabad)
* [[Shirvan-Salyan Economic Region]]
** [[Bilasuvar District|Bilasuvar]] (Biləsuvar)
** [[Hajigabul District|Hajigabul]] (Hacıqabul)
** [[Neftchala District|Neftchala]] (Neftçala)
** [[Salyan District, Azerbaijan|Salyan]] (Salyan)
** [[Yevlakh District|Yevlakh]] (Yevlax)
** [[Shirvan (city)|Shirvan]]{{efn|name="control"}} (Şirvan)
* [[Mountainous Shirvan economic region]]
** [[Agsu District|Aghsu]] (Ağsu)
** [[Gobustan District|Gobustan]] (Qobustan)
** [[Ismayilli District|Ismayilli]] (İsmayıllı)
** [[Shamakhi District|Shamakhi]] (Şamaxı)
* [[Ganja-Dashkasan Economic Region]]
** [[Dashkasan District|Dashkasan]] (Daşkəsən)
** [[Goranboy District|Goranboy]] (Goranboy)
** [[Goygol District|Goygol]] (Göygöl)
** [[Samukh District|Samukh]] (Samux)
** [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]]{{efn|name="control"}} (Gəncə)
** [[Naftalan, Azerbaijan|Naftalan]]{{efn|name="control"}} (Naftalan)
* [[Gazakh-Tovuz Economic Region]]
** [[Agstafa District|Aghstafa]] (Ağstafa)
** [[Gadabay District|Gadabay]] (Gədəbəy)
** [[Gazakh District|Gazakh]] (Qazax)
** [[Shamkir District|Shamkir]] (Şəmkir)
** [[Tovuz District|Tovuz]] (Tovuz)
* [[Guba-Khachmaz Economic Region]]
** [[Quba District (Azerbaijan)|Guba]] (Quba)
** [[Qusar District|Gusar]] (Qusar)
** [[Khachmaz District|Khachmaz]] (Xaçmaz)
** [[Shabran District|Shabran]] (Şabran)
** [[Siazan District|Siyazan]] (Siyəzən)
* [[East Zangezur Economic Region]]
** [[Qubadli District|Gubadly]] (Qubadlı)
** [[Jabrayil District|Jabrayil]] (Cəbrayıl)
** [[Kalbajar District|Kalbajar]] (Kəlbəcər)
** [[Lachin District|Lachin]] (Laçın)
** [[Zangilan District|Zangilan]] (Zəngilan)
* [[Lankaran-Astara Economic Region]]
** [[Astara District|Astara]] (Astara)
** [[Jalilabad District (Azerbaijan)|Jalilabad]] (Cəlilabad)
** [[Lankaran District|Lankaran]] (Lənkəran)
** [[Lerik District|Lerik]] (Lerik)
** [[Masally District|Masally]] (Masallı)
** [[Yardimli District|Yardimli]] (Yardımlı)
** [[Lankaran]]{{efn|name="control"}} (Lənkəran; city)
* [[Nakhchivan Economic Region]]
** [[Babek District|Babek]] (Babək)
** [[Julfa District|Julfa]] (Culfa)
** [[Kangarli District|Kangarli]] (Kəngərli)
** [[Ordubad District|Ordubad]] (Ordubad)
** [[Sadarak District|Sadarak]] (Sədərək)
** [[Shahbuz District|Shahbuz]] (Şahbuz)
** [[Sharur District|Sharur]] (Şərur)
** [[Nakhchivan City|Nakhchivan]]{{efn|name="control"}} (Naxçıvan)
* [[Shaki-Zagatala Economic Region]]
** [[Balakan District|Balakan]] (Balakən)
** [[Qabala District|Gabala]] (Qəbələ)
** [[Qakh District|Gakh]] (Qax)
** [[Oghuz District|Oghuz]] (Oğuz)
** [[Shaki District|Shaki]] (Şəki)
** [[Zagatala District|Zagatala]] (Zaqatala)
** [[Shaki, Azerbaijan|Shaki]]{{efn|name="control"}} (Şəki; city)
* [[Karabakh Economic Region]]
** [[Aghjabadi District|Aghjabadi]] (Ağcabədi)
** [[Barda District|Barda]] (Bərdə)
** [[Agdam District|Aghdam]] (Ağdam)
** [[Fuzuli District|Fuzuli]] (Füzuli)
** [[Khojaly District|Khojaly]] (Xocalı)
** [[Khojavend District|Khojavend]] (Xocavənd)
** [[Shusha District|Shusha]] (Şuşa)
** [[Tartar District|Tartar]] (Tərtər)
** [[Stepanakert|Khankendi]]{{efn|name="control"}} (Xankəndi)
}}