The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a resolution recognizing the genocide of the Circassian people by the Russian Empire. It confirms resolution card No. 11347.
The explanatory note states that during the Russo-Caucasian War of 1763-1864, the Russian Empire carried out ethnic cleansing on Circassian lands, which led to the destruction or expulsion of 90% of Circassians from their homeland. Representatives of other ethnic groups were relocated to the liberated territories.
The authors of the document emphasize that these actions meet the criteria of genocide defined by the UN Convention “On the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.” The purpose of the resolution is to support peoples who are oppressed by Russia in preserving their language, traditions, historical memory and fighting for their own identity and the right to free development.
We will remind that on June 6, 2024, representatives of the Circassian national movement officially appealed to the Ukrainian parliament with a request to recognize these events as genocide. Officially, the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Circassian Genocide is celebrated every year on May 21 in three republics: Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygea.
