Refugees of the "White City"

Public Association "Support free enterprise" held at Wednesday's press conference on violations of property rights in the implementation of the "White City" in the capital.

Construction of the new trendy neighborhood accompanied by a gross violation of the rights of thousands of people, said the head of the NGO Zohrab Ismail.

This project involves the demolition of about 1 thousand private homes. "Monitoring conducted by us showed that authorities hide all information about the project "White City," he said.

Initial report was presented today by this NGO suggest that SOCAR Baku mayor's office and the executive Khatai ignore all requests of civil society.

"Therefore, our NGO has filed a lawsuit," said Ismail.

"The demolition of housing in that area can not be conducted in conjunction with state needs. This is a purely commercial project, so the seizure of property may be made only on the basis of mutual agreement and on the basis of market prices," he said.

In this case, the demolition is motivated by the needs of the state, but the purchase of property produces private firm. In this case, the price is fixed and does not agree with the people. Houses destroyed by the police without the safety and security of the property inside the houses. There are many facts of forced eviction without a court order, contrary to local law as well as the Convention on Human Rights.

"In the face of massive and flagrant violations of property rights of citizens", - said Ismail.

• The "White City" is designed for 20 years and provides for the construction of the "Paris neighborhood" on the former site of the Black City - Industrial Zone Baku. This part of the capital should be in the future one of the most expensive and prestigious districts of Baku. The project is implemented by foreign companies. -05C-