“The resolution provides for the recognition of the mass destruction of the Circassians and their expulsion from their homeland in 1763–1864, one of the parliamentarians reported”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
According to them, 232 parliamentarians supported the document.
The representative of “European Solidarity” Oleksiy Honcharenko said that he is a co-author of the initiative. He pointed out that the Russian Empire resorted to ethnic cleansing, mass killings and forced relocations of Circassians during the Russo-Caucasian War (1763–1864).
“As a result, more than 90% of Circassians were physically destroyed or expelled. “Ukraine honors the memory of the victims of this crime, condemns the colonial policy of the empire and calls on the international community to recognize this genocide,” he said.
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Deputy from “Golos” Yaroslav Yurchyshyn commented on the decision, noting that “unpunished evil returns”.
Maria Mezentseva (“Servant of the People”) clarified that the resolution is the result of the joint work of the temporary investigative commission. She cited the main provisions of the document:
- official recognition of the mass destruction of the Circassians and their violent expulsion from their historical homeland in 1763–1864
- expressing solidarity with the Circassian people and commemorating the victims of the crime
- condemnation of the actions of the Russian Empire, which “led to significant losses among the Circassian society”
- appealing to other countries and organizations to recognize these crimes as genocide
- granting the right to repatriation and self-determination
- condemnation of attempts by Russian propaganda to distort historical facts
- instructing the relevant bodies of the Verkhovna Rada to work out the next steps, in particular, the creation of educational and research programs
“The destruction of empires is the way to the freedom of peoples,” added Mezentseva.
Representatives of the Adyghe, or Circassian, people, now scattered around the world, opposed Russia’s hosting of the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. In the vicinity of this city and throughout the region during the Russian-Caucasian war, the Russian army exterminated 300,000 Circassians.
Georgia recognized the Circassian genocide of 2011.