The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) appeals to the local and international community in connection with the upcoming birthday (17 July) of slain "Monitor" Journal Editor-in-Chief Elmar Huseynov.

Elmar Huseynov, a well-known and highly respected journalist who was very critical of Azerbaijan’s government, was murdered on 2 March 2005. To this day no one has been brought to justice for this crime and his murder remains unsolved.

In Elmar Huseynov’s memory, IRFS asks that people residing abroad gather in front of Azerbaijan’s embassies in foreign countries on 17 July and peacefully demand that the Azerbaijani government find Huseynov’s murderers and bring them to justice. To this end, IRFS has prepared placards in Azerbaijani and English that can be used. These are available on the organization’s website. In addition, IRFS asks that photos from this event be sent to irfs.az@gmail.com so that they can place them on their website and information about the worldwide action can be disseminated to the local and international press.

IRFS also requests that local and international organizations consider placing special web-banners in Elmar Huseynov’s memory on their websites at least Huseynov’s birthday (17 July), or even from Monday to Friday of next week. Some web-banners that can be used for this purpose can be found on IRFS’ website.

In Azerbaijan, on 17 July, IRFS and other local NGOs, as well as civil society figures, will gather at Elmar Huseynov’s grave.

(This action was recently mentioned in the International Freedom of Expression Exchange’s newsletter called Communiqué. That write-up can be viewed at http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/95191/.)

Links for placards and web banners: