The Guardian: Demonstration of ‘prosperity’ of Azerbaijan before tourists and guests of European Games cost 16 people's lives
After a devastating blaze kills 16, residents are criticizing Azerbaijan’s attempts to whitewash the city for its international visitors, Тhe Guardian writes citing Eurasianet.org and Meydan TV.
As the article reads, the Azeri government has come under intense criticism after a controversial series of bans, arrests and a devastating fire have marred its projects to “clean up” the city ahead of the European Games in June, 2015. An investigation launched into the widespread use of flammable plastic cladding in renovation projects on central streets designed to present a “veneer of prosperity” to visitors, opposition leaders said.
The British website writes that beyond its disastrous attempts to spruce up the city’s buildings, Azerbaijan has also introduced a host of image-control measures. One new rule is preventing local people from taking photos in Baku’s historical Old Town. Whilst photography is not officially banned, police and security guards have been taking action to prevent locals from taking photos. The de facto ban has left some Baku residents in despair: “I was born and have grown up in this city and I am not allowed to take a picture of its most beautiful part,” said 29-year-old resident Anar Gurbanov.
Some critics say that the government, obsessed with how Azerbaijan is perceived by the outside world, is seeking total control over the population. Hoping to avert traffic jams during the games, the city’s traffic police have also urged that no weddings or funerals be held in the city during the month of June. Some public bus routes will be cancelled too. A number of streets also will be closed, a decision that will inconvenience an estimated 120,000 people.
“A foreign guest, treated well, will talk about the hospitality ... once they leave the country,” a government critic blogger Arzu Geybullayeva said adding that the same is not done for the locals because there is nowhere they can really leave. And no one they can complain to.
Related:
The Guardian: How many children could access medical treatment with money spent on European Games?
Haqqin.az: Baku is on fire, and Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Abid Sharifov behaves like ordinary thief in law
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