Seven days have passed since the assassination of the Chief Editor of “Monitor”
Azerbaijani magazine Elmar Huseynov. The tragedy in Baku makes one think about
the role that an individual plays in history – however high-flown these words
may seem. Is it not surprising that what happened to Elmar Huseynov caused such
a strong public response in Azerbaijan, and, indirectly, far beyond its borders?
Words of sympathy and indignation were said even by those who harassed Elmar,
those who did not respect his professional activity, and those who had never
seen “Monitor” magazine.
During their life people like Elmar are reproached for inability to “put themselves
in others’ shoes”, for the reluctance to take into account some vague “supreme
interests”, put up with the existing state of affairs… For there are others,
who know how to adjust, to perceive “certain negative phenomena with understanding”,
to remain silent, not to say the obvious truth so that to avoid being “misunderstood”.
Why doesn’t this guy relax? He is probably a psychiatric case, or may be his
ambitions and jealousy do not let him alone, or this is a result of being naturally
mean – always trying to harm people!
But when the “rara avis” passes away, particularly, when this happened under
tragic circumstances, as in the case of Elmar, the misunderstanding goes away
with him. It turned out everyone is pretty well aware that without the recusants
the world would have rotten long ago. This is probably why they are remembered
and valued much more and longer, than the most successful conformers. The human
society has either consciously or subconsciously realized that its survival
and development is ensured not by those who are capable of peaceful co-existence
with dishonesty, deception, greed, but the rare personalities, who are ready
for active protest, ready for a DEED. Particularly those, who prove their readiness
not by a one-time action, even a most heroic one, but by a daily, hourly fight
for their principles, rejection of compromise with everything that is immoral,
antihuman, ignorant.
It is not all the deeds, even the most courage’s and fair ones, stop the processes
of stagnation and open new horizons to the society. Maybe, “Monitor” magazine
and its editor did not have a radical and direct impact on the life of present-day
Azerbaijan. But the mere fact of their existence sustained the belief in the
possible changes among the people.
So many real chances to radically shift the wheel of history in Azerbaijan,
Armenia and other post-Soviet countries, taking the way of democracy and independence,
were missed simply because there was no one, capable of a DEED at the right
place and the right time – to fight back the first attacks on the freedom of
speech, to prevent the transformation of the parliament into the appendix of
the executive, to literally intercept the hand, stuffing the ballot box… Even
with a feeling of indignation inside, many of us gave in for “higher motives”,
hoping it will all settle itself. Too much of giving in…
Elmar wasn’t giving in. Without his articles and his magazine there would have
been much less freedom and fresh air in the country. Some Azerbaijani colleagues
are indignant at the family of the journalist disallowing to turn the funeral
ceremony into political demonstration. It is hard to say, but this may be the
right decision. And if those, who intended to make passionate speech on a rally
on the funeral day, are ready to make a DEED, they will still have many pretexts
and opportunities. The best sign of their (and our) sincere compassion and fury
at the terrible assassination of the journalist and everything he fought against
must be our own actions, articles, ideas… Everyone, however small his abilities
are, may find his battlefield against conformism and stagnation. As Elmar did…
Boris NAVASARDIAN,
President of Yerevan Press Club
