NCDF Condemns "Humiliating Attitude to Families of Martyrs"

Baku / 12.11.18 / Turan: The National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) issued a statement in which it condemned "the humiliating attitude of the authorities towards the families of martyrs and veterans of the Karabakh war." The document criticizes the overall social policy of the authorities, who "doomed a large part of the population to the struggle for survival" and "at best to receiving pensions and salaries of 200 manat ($ 120)."

NCDF calls "most disgusting" the "humiliating attitude of the authorities towards the families of the martyrs and veterans of the Karabakh war." The families of martyrs for more than 20 years cannot receive the 11,000 manat remuneration for the loss of their relatives in the war. Finally, after consistent and harsh criticism by the opposition, a presidential decree was issued on additional measures for the social protection of the families of those killed and missed in the course of hostilities in defense of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The public was promised to resolve the issue of compensation to the families of martyrs within three months. However, so far, 2,500 families of martyrs still have not received these funds. Moreover, the members of the families of martyrs who are demanding their rights before the Parliament and the Presidential Administration are subjected to abusive and degrading treatment. Such an attitude most clearly demonstrates the "anti-national essence" of the Azerbaijani authorities.

Billions of funds allocated to the Ministry of Defense Industry and the Emergencies Ministry to ensure the military are transferred offshore. "Against this background, the authorities, because of some AZN 15 million, subject the families of martyrs to humiliation," the statement says. And the veterans of the Karabakh war are paid allowances in amounts not enough even for drugs for a week.

The present government, having seized the power in 1993, disarmed 33 battalions and as a result, conditions were created for the occupation of the Agdam, Fizuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zanghilan regions. The attitude towards the families of the martyrs and veterans of the Karabakh war by the authorities, which for 25 years have not liberated a single village, does not fit into any moral criteria.

NCDF demanded that the authorities in the shortest possible time resolve the issue of benefits to the families of martyrs and stop degrading treatment of them. According to NCDF, benefits should be increased and the same amount should be paid to veterans who became Group 1 disabled in the war. Monthly allowances to the families of martyrs and veterans should be raised to a level that satisfies their social needs. -06D--