As the Council of United Circassia, we have compiled a booklet that brings together information from various historical and contemporary sources on the Circassian Genocide. This booklet is designed to provide politicians and state representatives with essential knowledge about the Circassian people and the tragic events of the genocide. It includes accounts from historians, military officers, and travelers who witnessed the Circassian-Russian War, as well as key references from modern researchers who have studied the Circassian Genocide in depth.

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Click to PDF icon to download the booklet!

 

​​Below you can read the text written by the Chairman of the Council of United Circassia, Mr. Kenan Kaplan, addressing humanity for the foreword of the booklet.

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Dear Humanity,
We, the Circassians, as one of the unique colors of the human family, are an ancient nation that has lived in our historical homeland, Circassia, for thousands of years. Our homeland, Circassia, has been subjected to numerous invasions throughout history; however, we have resolutely resisted and managed to protect our land and people for centuries. From the late 18th century onwards, we defended our homeland against the Russians, who sought to seize Circassia and the entire North Caucasus, with the same determination for over a hundred years. Nevertheless, it was impossible for us to withstand the inhumane and brutal methods of the Russian Empire.

Throughout the war, which lasted until 1864, the Russian army systematically and deliberately massacred civilians, raped women, enslaved people, burned villages and living spaces to the ground, and destroyed crops to eliminate any chance of survival for our people. During the war and the subsequent great exile, historians estimate that we lost nearly 1.5 million of our people. Approximately 90% of the surviving population was forced to leave their homeland under extremely harsh conditions and was sent into exile. As Circassians who have suffered genocide and exile, we continue to live in various countries around the world with longing for our homeland.

The atrocities and genocide committed against the Circassian nation by the Russian Empire have been extensively documented in various written sources, including reports from Russian military officials and the works of contemporary historians. The Circassian Genocide, which historians and researchers have described as "one of the most well-documented genocides of modern times," has still not led to the establishment of justice for the Circassian nation, despite its extensive recognition.

Today, the Russian Federation refuses to acknowledge the genocide committed by its predecessor, the Russian Empire. Moreover, it does not permit Circassians affected by wars, earthquakes, and other humanitarian crises in different parts of the world to return to their historical homeland, Circassia. Under Putin's regime, Circassians living in their homeland face increasing restrictions on their most fundamental democratic rights, such as receiving education in their native language, preserving their culture, and participating in politics. Various legal regulations and pretexts are continuously being introduced to further these restrictions, while a systematic Russification policy is being carried out. Furthermore, under Putin's rule, numerous young Circassians and activists have been assassinated in planned, unsolved murders.

In addition, the vast natural and economic resources of Circassia are being exploited by Moscow, leaving the local population in systemic poverty. Circassians, who are suppressed by murder, oppression, and economic hardships, are unable to demand their rights or protest against injustices.

The Russian Federation today acts with an approach far removed from modern humanitarian values, implementing a harsh Russification policy against ethnic minorities within its borders while pursuing an imperialist expansionist policy beyond them. This situation poses a clear threat to world peace and all of humanity. The fact that the Circassian nation, its identity, culture, and language are on the brink of extinction today makes the Russian Federation just as responsible and guilty as the Russian Empire.

As Circassians living in the diaspora with a longing for our homeland, we want to share this truth with the world and seek support in our pursuit of justice. So far, the parliaments of Georgia and Ukraine have officially recognized the Circassian Genocide, demonstrating their strong solidarity with the Circassian nation.

As the Council of United Circassia, we continue our initiatives with parliaments and governments to seek justice for the Circassian nation and to stand against Russian imperialism, which poses a clear threat to all of humanity. The work in your hands contains undeniable evidence of the Circassian Genocide. It has been compiled using quotations and source information derived from Russian military reports, the observations of contemporary Russian historians and travelers, evaluations by foreign military officials, and scientific studies by modern researchers.

This work was prepared to provide basic information to those who do not know Circassians and the Circassian Genocide. It illustrates the genocidal actions committed during the Russo-Circassian Wars (1763-1864) and the scale of the tragedy experienced by the Circassians. As can be seen in this work, historians and researchers living in different countries at different times confirm the genocide that the Circassian nation experienced.

161 years ago, the Circassian nation was deprived of its right to live, and all its resources were plundered. Today, Circassians strive to maintain their existence in various countries around the world while seeking ways to return to their homeland. Circassians continue to organize and engage in political struggles with the dream of living freely and humanely in their historical homeland, as a democratic country  that respects human rights, universal values, and the rule of law. This struggle is not only for the interests of the Circassian nation but also for the common interests of all humanity and must be supported by all relevant parties.

We call on you to learn about the Circassian Genocide, one of the shameful pages of human history, and to support us in our pursuit of justice.

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Meretyko Kenan Kaplan
Chairperson of the Council of United Circassia​