05 July 2007, 16:09
Amnesty International: refugees are in disaster in Azerbaijan
Some 700,000 Azerbaijanis, who have received, after 1994, the status of internally displaced persons in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, are facing serious discrimination and segregation in Azerbaijan. This is the conclusion of the experts of the Amnesty International who have issued the report entitled "Azerbaijan: Movement with Subsequent Discrimination - Grave Situation with Internally Displaced Population."
"Under the law, internally displaced persons shall enjoy the same legal defence and guarantees of the rights as other citizens. In fact, numerous restrictions prevent them from using the right to free movement, sufficient dwelling, the highest achievable level of health and labour," Ms Nikola Darkwort, director of the regional program of the Amnesty International for Europe and Central Asia, has stated.
For example, the existing system of registration sticks people to particular addresses for reception of assistance and health care, and prevents them from moving to other area, where they may have employment. The report states that it is impossible to get registered in flourishing districts without bribes. The problem is aggravated by the fact that they were trying to settle refugees in geographically remote settlements, economically underdeveloped areas and other improper places.
Author: Alexandra Kondrasheva, CK correspondent
