Raising Awareness: Commemorating the May 21 Circassian Genocide and Deportation
Adel Bashqawi
May 21, 1025
Monument dedicated to the Circassian genocide, Republic of Adygea / Photo from Wikipedia
For the past 161 years, Russia has persistently denied and ignored the legitimate rights of the Circassian nation in its homeland, continuing to pursue its racist colonial policies. However, on January 9, 2025, the Ukrainian Parliament recognized the Circassian Genocide, marking a significant and positive step forward. This recognition promises a future of lasting fraternal relations between Circassia and Ukraine. Notably, the Parliament of Georgia recognized the Circassian Genocide on May 20, 2011.
With the increasing availability of qualitative and reliable sources of information—most of which are drawn from electronic archives and specialized websites dedicated to preserving, storing, and presenting historical data—there has been a surge in awareness among those interested and actively engaged. This growing consciousness has led to the revelation of facts that were, until recently, absent or deliberately hidden.
Both the global community and captive nations understand the unjust laws Russia enforces to undermine justice, as well as the unethical principles that guide its oppressive regime. Russia has consistently demonstrated, beyond a shadow of a doubt, its unwillingness to abandon the colonial and acquisitive policies it has imposed since the era of the Russian Empire.
Russia has persistently denied the rights of others and has evaded responsibility by refusing to act in accordance with international laws and norms related to occupation, decolonization, indigenous rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The illusion of victory, deeply ingrained in the minds of colonial Russian officials and generals, will never be realized unless the Circassian nation regains its legitimate rights to its historical homeland. These rights were unjustly usurped through military occupation, genocide, and annexation, not to mention ethnic cleansing and forced deportation.
Hoping that reluctance to take appropriate action will maintain the status quo is a fallacy. A bold and decisive stance is required to demand the restoration of Circassian rights. The Russian authoritarian authorities have shown no genuine commitment to respecting the rights of those whose homeland was seized by force and whose right to freedom and self-determination remains unrecognized.
Since the occupation, genocide, and forced displacement, some individuals have abandoned their homeland and nation. However, their numbers have not diminished; instead, they have increased and adapted, utilizing advanced methods, including artificial intelligence, to communicate with both the Circassian homeland and diaspora communities, thereby expanding their networks.
Real justice cannot be achieved without addressing multiple dimensions of freedom—ensuring social, political, and legal liberties that must be liberated from tyranny, dependency, and colonialism. The existence of colonialism inherently prevents national freedom and perpetuates inequality, oppression, prejudice, racism, and discrimination. The following points must be considered:
- Russia continues to deny the rights of indigenous peoples in their homelands, which remain under illegal occupation.
- The freedom of expression and the preservation of national identity—including language, culture, heritage, values, history, and shared aspirations—must be safeguarded.
- People should have the right to raise their voices on matters that affect their present and future.
- Justice systems must be reformed to protect individuals from unjust laws and ensure fairness.
Under humanitarian values, the Circassian nation acknowledges its debt of gratitude to all who have stood and continue to stand in solidarity, demanding legitimate Circassian rights, including national liberation and fundamental freedoms guaranteed by international laws and norms—leading to the right to self-determination. Encouragingly, the victims and their descendants have not remained in limbo but have engaged in a wave of consciousness and activism that challenges neglect and racial discrimination.
It is worth noting that the United Nations has gradually expanded its human rights framework to encompass various principles aimed at protecting minorities. These protections extend to those who have become minorities in numerous countries worldwide, in addition to their homeland, which remains under occupation and annexation by a colonial state. Ultimately, international human rights laws were established to uphold these principles and protect individuals and groups from discrimination.
International human rights law has laid down obligations that must be adhered to and respected to promote and protect fundamental freedoms. These principles are enshrined in the United Nations Charter (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/human-rights), which serve as the foundation of this body of law and are intended for implementation.
