SILENCE FEEDS AUTHORITARIANISM
Elman Fattah
Elman Fattah was born in 1974 in the city of Sheki, Azerbaijan. He completed his higher education at Baku Eurasian University, majoring in International Relations. He began his political activities in the early 2000s and was actively involved in the Musavat Party for many years. Between 2000 and 2023, he served as an active member of the party, and from 2014 to 2017, he held positions as a member of the party’s Board (Divan) and Deputy Chair.
Currently, Elman Fattah is a founding member of the political initiative known as the Third Republic Platform (ResPlatforma). Introduced to the public in December 2023, ResPlatforma is a new political initiative aimed at criticizing Azerbaijan’s existing authoritarian governance model not only politically but also on an intellectual level. With the slogan “We obey the law, not a single man!”, the platform advocates for the decentralization of state power, the strengthening of political pluralism, and the enhancement of civic participation.
In addition to his political experience, Elman Fattah is also recognized as a political analyst. His primary research areas focus on modern forms of authoritarianism, democratic backsliding in post-Soviet countries, and the weakening of civil society. His book titled “New Authoritarianism and Azerbaijan” is considered an important source on this subject. The book provides an in-depth analysis of how the Azerbaijani regime has preserved the formal appearance of democratic institutions while effectively dismantling their functional operations.
Elman Fattah is also well known for his articles and political analyses published on various media platforms. His writings primarily focus on Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, the balance of power in the South Caucasus region, international diplomatic processes, and the erosion of domestic democratic institutions. His analyses are referenced not only in local media but also on international platforms.
He is married and has one child.
