Civilnet
Fire engulfed this high-rise apartment building in Baku on May 19.
Rasim Adjalov, the head supervisor of the 2015 European Games scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan has resigned from his position after a horrific high-rise apartment fire in Baku on May 19, which claimed the lives of 16 people. Adjalov made the announcement the following day on May 20 on his Facebook page.
According to meydan.tv, the official said, “I’m sorry, values are more important than my huge salary...That is enough...One day, we also will have a family.” Adjalov’s comments alluded to the use of cheap, inflammable material to decorate the capital ahead of the European Games.
Rasim Adjalov’s post on Facebook was written to honor the memory of a two-year-old girl Fereh Meherremova who perished in the fire:
“Dear IOC – International Olympic Committee, European Olympic Committees and national Olympic Committees of all European countries! My name is Fereh. I was two years old. Yes, I was, not 'I am' any more. Today I died in fire caused by 'beautification' façade around my house because in few weeks you will travel to my country and see how 'happy' we are. And my mother lost my unborn sibling after my death news. Hope you will be 'happy' to see how 'happy' we are. I apologize for the inconvenience. Have a nice day. Love, Fereh Meherremova, May 19, 2015.”
Azerbaijan has been facing international criticism for human rights violations as it prepares to host the first ever European Olympics in Baku from June 12 to 28.
The inaugural event, endorsed by the International Olympic Committee and organized by the European Olympic Committees, will feature 6,000 athletes from 50 countries competing in 20 sports.
Amnesty International released a report on March 4, 100 days before the opening ceremony in Baku, highlighting the human rights violations related to arbitrary arrests and detentions taking place in Azerbaijan.
According to Amnesty International’s findings in the report, titled “Guilty of Defending Rights: Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Defenders and Activists Behind Bars,” more than 90 instances of harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests and politically motivated charges compiled by journalists, bloggers, activists, and human rights defenders occurred in the country.
“No-one should be fooled by the glitz and glamour of the international show Azerbaijan is putting on to portray a squeaky-clean international reputation and attract foreign business,” said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s Director for Europe and Central Asia. “Its authorities are among the most repressive in Europe and would certainly be on the medal winning podium if prizes were on offer for the number of activists and rights defenders behind bars,” he added.
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