Minister Jabbarov stated that amnesty could lead to a rise in unlawful construction

Minister Mikayil Jabbarov

"While a straightforward amnesty for unauthorized buildings might address some social issues temporarily, it could also encourage more illegal constructions later on." As reported by AZERTAC, Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov expressed these opinions on May 20 during an event focused on "Replacing informal settlements and slums for housing globally."

The minister highlighted that over the past few years, several significant measures have been implemented to streamline the processes for issuing permits for multi-unit residential buildings.

"We have also enacted specific amnesties for individual homes that comply with fundamental urban planning requirements and similar unofficial communities." Nevertheless, our experience indicates that the topic of legalization must be handled with significant care. "While a basic amnesty for unauthorized structures may address some societal issues temporarily, it can also encourage future illegal construction," he continued.

The minister stated that this could result in the building of hazardous homes, improper land use, and harm to farmland, forests, water resources, and essential infrastructure.

The issue of unregistered homes has been a topic of conversation in Azerbaijan for numerous years. Some experts estimate that there are roughly 500,000 illegal homes in the city of Baku itself. In March 2011, during a meeting at the Baku City Executive Power, President Ilham Aliyev declared that he had issued a specific directive to record homes constructed without official authorization. In May 2019, Eldar Azizov, the chief of the Baku City Executive Power, revealed that President Aliyev had met with him personally and directed him to conduct on-site meetings: "Some residents have been unable to legalize the homes they have inhabited for 10, 20, or 30 years." A committee has been formed regarding the matter. A significant document is being drafted by President Ilham Aliyev. I am certain that the problem of undocumented homes will be settled definitively nationwide.

Nonetheless, the issue continues to be unsolved.

Independent experts suggest that the authorities occasionally highlight the issue of addressing this problem for specific political reasons. They believe that over the years, the government has not only failed to address the issue, but has also ignored its worsening situation.