İZMİR - From Circassian Movement, Sema Nur Özkan who emphasized the recognition of the Circassian Genocide, stated that they will continue their struggle for this. Sema said that the cultural genocide against Circassians continues today.

 

The war that broke out between 1763-1864 as a result of the expansionist policies of the Russian Tsarism resulted in the occupation of Circassia. During and after the war, most women, children, and old people were deported to the Ottoman lands, while the Circassians, who were exiled with the secret agreements between the Tsarist Russia and the Ottoman Empire, were placed in the buffer zones by Ottomans and used for fighting.

 

The process known as "Circassian Exile", or "Circassian Genocide" began after May 21, 1864. At least 75 percent of the total Circassian population, that is between 800,000-1,500,000 people, were affected. Although the main target of the genocide was the Circassians, some Abkhaz, Abazin, Chechen, Ossetian and other Muslim Caucasian communities were also affected. Since then, Circassians have been commemorating May 21 every year as the Circassian Genocide and a day of mourning.

 

Circassians all over the world protested Russia on May 21, which was declared a national mourning day to commemorate those who lost their lives during the genocide in Abkhazia.

 

Sema Nur Özkan from the Circassian Movement spoke to our agency, stating that Russia's "Circassia without Circassians" policy and Turkey has a cultural genocide policy.

 

Genocide continues

 

Sema stated that today's Russia continues the "Circassian Circassia" policy implemented by the Russian Tsarism after the war. Sema stated that Circassians live in Karachai, Adygea and Kabardino-Balkarien Autonomous Republic, and the Shapsug Autonomous Region on the coast is still under occupation. Reminding that the Caucasus Associations Federation (KAF-FED) organized an organization to commemorate the Circassian Genocide and exile six years ago, Sema said: "We have been scattered all over the world, but we are mostly in Turkey. Genocide continues, but culturally. The problems experienced by the Anatolian peoples are also valid for us Circassians.

 

 Assimilation has also been applied to us. Circassian is one of the languages that is about to disappear. Since the state does not recognize any rights on mother tongue, we try to take language lessons with our associations and our teachers who speak mother tongue. The new generation does not know the mother tongue because we live in separate places from each other."

 

Circassian Genocide needs to be recognized

 

Sema noted that young people made posts on virtual platforms drawing attention to the Circassian Genocide as they could not go to commemorate due to the pandemic and said: “Genocide and exile against Circassians should be recognized. It is necessary to explain this to the countries and to realize the seriousness of the incident. There is progress, but we are just beginning. There is such a situation that when you express your difference, you immediately become a divisive. However, you need to explain yourself so that you can solve the problem."

 

‘The peoples should support each other’s struggle’

 

Stating that in Russia, a visa cannot be obtained without an invitation due to the "Circassian Circassia" policy, work permits, or citizenship rights can be very difficult, Sema said that all peoples should support each other's struggle to live freely.

 

Finally, Sema added that assimilation policies should be abandoned for the development of the Circassian language.