Residents of Azerbaijan oppose compulsory contributions to aid funds

The information about coercion to make donations into state funds to help families of perished soldiers has triggered Azerbaijani residents' protests.

After the recent war, at least two state charity foundations have been set up: one for the restoration of cities and cultural monuments; and the other – YAŞAT ‑ to help the families of those who perished or were wounded, but there are already violations in the operation thereof, the author of the blog "Wind from Apsheron" run on the "Caucasian Knot" asserts.

"The statutes of both foundations clearly state: donations are made only on the voluntary basis. And what do you think? [...]. They've taken the path well approved by their communist fathers: they launched voluntary-compulsory collection of contributions from all institutions present in the country. An order just comes 'from above': raise and donate such and such sum," the blogger has written.

This post has triggered a discussion among the Internet users who position themselves as residents of Azerbaijan. Thus, the user Gyulnara in her comment to this blog has agreed with the author. "Voluntary donations are nice, but not from citizens who are already struggling to make both ends meet! The foundation should collect money from large companies, banks, concerns <...> Let MPs, state servants and officials fork out," she has suggested.

Contributions to the foundations, including fixed ones, should be made, says the user Roya Rajabli. "We have sent 40% [of our salaries] to the foundation. Nobody is indignant, as believes that this is how it should be. Everything is for the families of our shaheeds (martyrs who died for their homeland, – note of the "Caucasian Knot"). This is the least thing that we can do for the orphans," he has stated.

The user Naz,Agt is against this position. "It's wrong to do this. The foundation is charitable, which means voluntary," he wrote.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 7, 2021 at 06:32 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.