Several inhabitants from the Salian region, a two hours drive southwest of Baku, were this week gathered to complain about the lack of attention from the government.

Two years after the flood, in May 2010, made several hundred houses in the region unable to live in, inhabitants struggle to get fair compensation.

Representatives from the Human Rights House Foundation was this week present at a meeting of the Salian region, to learn how both local and national authorities have not been willing and able to clean up after the flood and to ensure fair compensations to their own people.

Flood victims say that money from the government that was supposed to go to clean up after the flood is passed directly into the pockets of local authorities. 
Residents are also asked to pay bribes to get the help they are entitled.

The government does not respond to complaint letters sent from the flood victims, and it is therefore formed an organization, witch on behalf of flood victims assist with legal advice and practical help.

The Human Rights House Foundation and the members of the Human Rights House Network are deeply concerned about the recent detention and ill treatment of Ogtay Gulaliyev, an activist and journalist.

We strongly believe that such repressive actions are linked to his human rights activities and fight against corruption in Azerbaijan and his struggle to help the victims after the flood two years ago.

We call upon the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ogtay Gulaliyev and ensure his full rehabilitation, in a letter send to the Azerbaijani president recently.

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Read the full letter here

About the Human Rights House Network

  • The Human Rights House Network is a forum of cooperation between established and emerging Human Rights Houses, uniting 90 NGOs in 15 countries in Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and South Caucasus, East and Horn of Africa, and Western Europe.
  • HRHN´s aim is to protect, empower and support human rights defenders and their organizations.
  • The Human Rights House Foundation, based in Oslo (Norway) and Geneva (Switzerland), is the secretariat of the Human Rights House Network.
  • The Azerbaijan Human Rights House (AHRH) is a member of the Human Rights House Network and was officially registered in 2007 and opened in Baku in 2009.
  • Eight local human rights organisations are partners of AHRH and organizers of the events, which have become increasingly popular among human rights defenders, victims of human rights violations, journalists, lawyers and youth.
  • In 2010 alone, it held more than 250 events, received more than 6000 visitors, and raised public awareness through press conferences, round tables, film screenings, and seminars.
  • In March 2011, AHRH was ordered to seize all activities until an agreement was made with the Azerbaijani authorities. AHRH remains closed to this date.