Memorial Campaign in Elmar Huseynov’s Honor

The campaign for the erection of memorial in honor of the slain Azerbaijani journalist Elmar Huseynov continues. The organizer – Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety – launched the second stage of the campaign and highlighted the results so far. (18-JAN-08)
    
Written by Shahla Ismayilova/HRH Azerbaijan on the basis of materials from IRFS
   
On the 17-th of January, the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety held a conference in its office. The director of IRFS Emin Huseynov (right) informed that the campaign, started in October, consists of two stages. The first stage included a signature campaign, sending the signatures to the mayor’s office and obtaining permission for the memorial. In the second stage it is supposed to prepare sketches and collect money.

Emin Huseynov told that on 15 November 2007 IRFS appealed with more than 560 signatures to Baku City’s Executive Administration about creating a memorial in honor of Elmar Huseynov on Matbuat Avenue due to his works in the freedom of speech area in Azerbaijan. “Two months later, we received a letter from Baku City’s Executive Administration, according to which, we have to appeal to the president of the republic. It is noted in the letter that Baku City’s Executive Administration can realize this matter only after the adoption of relevant decisions by the government. And today lawyer I. Ashurov is preparing an appeal to the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan.”

Future plans
The IRFS director also informed about the next steps related to campaign and noted that, the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) had allocated 6,000 USD for the campaign. Throughout a one-month period advertisements will appear in “Azerbaijan,” “Republic,” “Khalg,” “Ayna,” “Zerkalo,” “Ekho,” “Azadlig” and “Yeni Musavat” newspapers about the competition and campaign for the memorial. After that, a commission will be founded to choose competition winners. There is a monetary reward for the top three symbols selected by the commission, and the best symbol will also be carved into the base of the Elmar Huseynov memorial, when it is erected.