Akif Gurbanov: “The day when liberty will be fully ensured is not far away”

Akif Gurbanov

Akif Gurbanov, head of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI) and a speaker for the Third Republic Platform, sent a message from the Kurdakhani Detention Center, where he is currently held.

Here is Akif Gurbanov's appeal,

"The Azerbaijani enlightenment movement, which began with Mirza Fatali Akhundov and continued with Hasan bey Zardabi's "Ekinchi," developed with Mirza Jalil's "Molla Nasraddin." The democratization process that began in Tsarist Russia after the 1905 revolution, the Duma elections, the formation of local municipalities through elections, and the small freedoms granted further strengthened the enlightenment process. Schools, newspapers, etc., were opened in the languages of the local peoples, including Muslims. Failures in World War I and the economic crisis resulted in the February Revolution of 1917. This, in turn, gave rise to the ideas of democratization, federalization, decentralization (desentralizasiya), nationalization, and national independence. For us, the process led to the proclamation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on May 28, 1918. The enlightenment process, the awakening and revival that began with the pen of intellectuals and writers, culminated in the creation of the first democratic republic in the East.

Similar events took place in the history of the USSR. The "glasnost" and "perestroika" movements, which began with Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985, created political softening and social activity in the Union's constituent republics, and independent groups, organizations, and associations were formed. The culmination of the process was the formation of the nationwide movement in November 1988. The popular movements and national protests that swept across the USSR eventually resulted in the restoration of our national independence. This is why November 18, 1988, is celebrated in our history as the National Revival Day.

We are already in 2025. Thirty-seven years have passed since those events. One part of the national cause built on the goals and ideals of our founding fathers—"independence for nations, freedom for people"—our "national independence" has been secured. The other remains—"freedom for people"—liberty. Achieving our freedom also requires revival. The revival of everyone. The revival of individuals eventually turns into a national revival. Thus, a national goal and ideal are formed. But what is revival, national revival? The articles "Dirilik" (Revival) and "Milli Dirilik" (National Revival) written by the great Rasulzade as early as 1914 remain relevant even today, 110 years later. Let's look at some notes from those writings.

"The world is the field for sowing the hereafter. The field must be cultivated. Only the living are fit for this. Revival, in turn, consists of being strong scientifically and psycho-physically, and loving. Its specific meaning is worldliness (attachment to the world). What is revival? Whatever the Sufis and philosophers may say, revival consists of loving the world, and being strong enough to protect one's true rights and claims.

The most valuable of revivals is national revival. National conscience or national faith arises from the existence of the goals and aspirations in national revival, and their being felt and expressed. Not only every nation but even every person has their own specific goal, idea, and ideology. A person's goal naturally aligns with their own strength and conviction. The goal causes progress in action. Just as individuals cannot live without goals, neither can nations.

Personal goals cannot be great. But if an individual, considering the benefit of their environment, wants to achieve a goal not for personal gain but for the sake of the nation, this can be called a great goal. Such people are called great idealists, ideologues. Those who, outside of their personal purpose, concern themselves with the needs of the environment, choose its happiness as their goal, and serve this goal as their personal ideal, are those great idealists. If such individuals are limited or non-existent within a nation, that nation will not see a stable and healthy existence. It will become subservient to others, crushed underfoot.

In those famous years that Russia went through, we resembled a ship caught in a storm. We didn't know where we were going or on which side the shore of salvation appeared. In any case, the rudder had to be turned in some direction. We looked at the sailors of other nations who were caught in the danger with us, and we turned our path toward the direction they were taking. Naturally, our hand trembled on the rudder, and our hearts pounded against an unknown fate.

Yes, just as lack of direction is deadly for a ship caught in a storm, so is a lack of ideal fatal for a nation living through historical moments. If we face an unexpected situation again, do we have an untrembling hand to firmly grasp the rudder of our ship and steer it toward the goal? That is the question to be asked. I think we will proceed without knowing the celestial navigation required in seamanship. We will not find the pilot whose hand doesn't tremble until we recognize the star of the road. We have not yet discovered that bright star that indicates our goal. How can this star be discovered? That is the issue we all must contemplate.

Until now, in all general and national affairs, we have only looked at the external appearance and tried to imitate the winner. We have a great void related to the spirit and morality of our work: a void of purpose, of idea. This void is felt everywhere. Once our needs are understood, thinking of a remedy and, based on that thought, finding the great ideal that can be the savior of our revival is not a difficult task."

Rasulzade's ideas of national revival proved true, and "independence for nations, freedom for people" became the main goal. This goal created our country's democratic, liberty-focused vision.

In 1991, Azerbaijan declared its independence, proclaiming itself the successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. However, neither the occupation of the Republic in 1920 nor the three changes of power that occurred around the Karabakh issue in 1990–1993 allowed this national goal and the vision of the founding fathers to be fully realized. The liberation of Azerbaijan's territories that were under occupation for nearly 30 years, the restoration of its territorial integrity, and the securing of sovereignty mean the realization of the ideal of "national independence."

But we must not forget that national independence and the freedom of the people are inseparable. The permanence of one is dependent on the securing of the other. Therefore, the time has come to fully achieve the ideal laid down by our founding fathers. We must continue this vision. For this, the time has come to transition to the "Post-Karabakh" agenda.

The leading elements of this agenda should be:

• Rejection of the ultra-etatist political thinking which feeds authoritarianism in the country;

• Transition to a modern-democratic political system;

• Restoration of public trust in governance and the electoral system;

• Ensuring decentralization and eliminating the serious imbalance in inter-regional development;

• Transforming the regions into livable spaces;

• Preventing politically motivated income inequality and endemic corruption;

• Developing quality standards of living.

Against the backdrop of geopolitical interest conflicts, wars, and the strengthening of authoritarian and populist rhetoric even in democratic countries, the future seems, at first glance, pessimistic. It is as if the world has gone awry: images of chaos, power politics, and the marginalization of law are increasing. However, historical processes show that after every cataclysm, crisis, and war, humanity has developed again toward humanism.

Undoubtedly, freedom will come, and limited freedoms will expand, both in the Middle East and in the post-Soviet space. After the First and Second World Wars, all peoples—regardless of whether they were defeated or victorious—experienced serious fluctuations in the liberty and independence of nations under Russian influence. The same process is inevitable now. Whether Russia is defeated or victorious in Ukraine—in both cases, the continuation of the authoritarian model does not seem realistic. For the Russian people, there is no win in this war under any circumstances. Economic and social difficulties are inevitable. Once the war stops, accountability will be sought within the country. Putin's authoritarianism will not be able to evade responsibility for the economic and social decline.

Similarly, Iran's previous form of government will no longer be valid. Certain softening is already visible in the suppression of rights.

If the ceasefire achieved around Gaza and Syria in the Middle East continues and Israeli aggression is curbed, an internal "reckoning" period will begin against the Netanyahu government even in Israel itself after a certain period. Communities everywhere in the world are tired—in Europe, America, the Middle East, Russia, and our region, people are fed up with these tensions. Just as, finally, Western societies raised their voices against Israel's excessive militarist policy.

For our region, we must also consider that the end of the conflict in the South Caucasus narrows the fertile ground for authoritarianism. Conversely, an environment of stability and peace opens opportunities for freedoms. After a peace treaty is signed, continuing with the existing system of government will not be possible. Against the backdrop of normalization with Armenia, Azerbaijan's current governance model will not be able to strengthen its public legitimacy with old methods. New relations with the West will also dictate this transformation.

Thus, despite all the difficulties, as Rasulzade emphasized, we must be ready for that day—the day when freedom will be fully secured. That day is not as far away as it might be thought.

For this, progressive people must choose the freedom-based "Post-Karabakh" agenda as their goal and conduct discussions in this direction. We will write to you about freedom, democracy, and republicanism. You also write and discuss. What do we need? Why do we need it? What can our national ideas be?

As the great Rasulzade said: Our strength is our right. Our belief in the path of truth is the highest slogan of our independence, and the flag bearer of all our successes."

18.11.2025, Kurdakhani