151 Years After Circassian Genocide And Forced Deportation
By: Adel Bashqawi
21, May, 2015
Preface
History is a register of series of past events that pertain to individuals and nations. Historical facts and proceedings are studied, evaluated and processed for planing and piloting in respect to selecting the necessary steps to be taken by those who take the human responsibility of continuity and perseverance for the sake of positive change of the society in the present and future, depending on consequences of dangers that affected the life, progress and advancement of the society and nation.
Many positive and negative developments have occurred during the previous year, as the yearly commemoration of the 21st of May of this year is remarking again of the Circassian great catastrophe that befell the Circassian nation reminds of pain and disaster endured by the Circassian people who defended the Circassian homeland, identity, and its very survival, when it had to fight a defensive fierce war against the imperial Russian invaders for 101 years long, included total occupation with Russians committing a genocide, ethnic cleansing and destruction, followed by deportation of 90% of the people which can be described as great forced exodus toward exile in the Ottoman Empire, then dispersed in more than 30 countries of the world of today.
Developments Imposed Itself on the International Scene
Seemingly, the Russian imperialism couldn’t hide its real characteristics, but to show the continuation of the past imperial practices, in order to show its true face in the twenty first century through the occupation and annexation of the Crimea, and parts of Eastern Ukraine resuming to destabilize and interfere with other former Soviet republics. Whats happening in Southeastern Ukraine at the moment indicates irresponsibility in addition to lack of interest and indifference in respecting the International Law and the right of all nations to maintain their freedom and independence. All that reminds of the Circassian nation that wished to live freely with no foreign intervention or colonial tutelage; but faced with devastating war that destroyed everything and everybody, which killed half of the Circassians and deported the vast majority of the rest to the Ottoman Empire.
The Armenian issue seemed urgent in the hundredth anniversary of the tragedies that occurred in the year 1915, during the Ottoman era, where the European Parliament “Urged Turkey to Recognize Armenian Genocide” (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/world/europe/european-parliament-urges-turkey-to-recognize-armenian-genocide.html?_r=0), as many countries are moving toward recognizing the reality of the “Armenian Genocide” which is growing like a snowball.
The Circassian Genocide is the Key Issue
The Circassian Genocide is the matter of focus that needs to be resolved, and accordingly the Russian state must be held accountable for all consequences, where the crime of genocide against Circassians has met “the two elements: intent and action” where the definition says: “It is a crime to plan or incite genocide, even before killing starts, and to aid or abet genocide” (http://www.preventgenocide.org/genocide/officialtext.htm), and others should recognize the Circassian rights (http://legal.un.org/avl/ha/cppcg/cppcg.html), of obtaining a Russian State’s apology, proper compensation, the right of return to homeland according to an international protection program and the restoration of the legitimate rights, including the right to self-determination at homeland.
The commemoration this month reminds of the Georgian Parliament’s recognition of the Circassian Genocide on the 20th of May, 2011 (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/21/world/europe/21georgia.html?_r=0), which indicates the first country-member of the United Nations to carry out an academic study of regional and Circassian history by scholars and specialists upon the request of related committees of the Parliament of Georgia that reached the bitter and ugly truth of the occurrence of the Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing and Forced Deportation committed against the entire Circassian nation. In a related matter, its of duty and decency to thank also the Georgians who inaugurated an erected Monument in Anaklia on the Black Sea (http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24790) on the 21st of May, 2012 in the memory of the Circassian victims.
Activities and positive efforts
Circassians showed and proved persistence in order to assert their very survival and continuity in order to be an admired and dignified nation, and in order to maintain their status as a civilized, and respected, the usurped and confiscated rights must be observed and restored according to the documented information depending on connections and good relations with friendly peoples and nations to reclaim rights in accordance with the relevant international resolutions and regulations:
—The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/), which the first paragraph of its Preamble says: “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”.
— The United Nations Rights of the indigenous peoples and Nations (http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf), where one of its paragraphs indicates: The {States “welcome[d] the adoption of the UN Declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples which has a positive impact on the protection of victims {urge[d] States to take all necessary measures to implement the rights of indigenous peoples in accordance with international human rights instruments without discrimination …”}.
— Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (http://www.un.org/en/decolonization/declaration.shtml), where the 2nd paragraph of the declarations states: “Conscious of the need for the creation of conditions of stability and well-being and peaceful and friendly relations based on respect for the principles of equal rights and self-determination of all peoples, and of universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,”
— International Law, the second paragraph (http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/internationallaw/) of the overview says: “International Law defines the legal responsibilities of States in their conduct with each other, and their treatment of individuals within State boundaries. Its domain encompasses a wide range of issues of international concern such as human rights, disarmament, international crime, refugees, migration, problems of nationality, the treatment of prisoners, the use of force, and the conduct of war, among others. It also regulates the global commons, such as the environment, sustainable development, international waters, outer space, global communications and world trade.”
Institutionalization of Ideological Invasion
Of the risks facing Circassians is the hostile programmed and planned propaganda performed by the same side that wanted and still remains in a situation of denial of Circassians’ sacred rights in their homeland, by the use of different techniques and tools. The intent is reflected at homeland and in Diaspora in accordance with an effective systematic method for the sake of diverting the Circassians’ attention and concerns to be directed to insignificant matters; but continuity and persistence of the Circassian nation requires to assert its survival by expressing the crucial concerns in present and in the future. That links to Roland Reagan’s saying: “We maintain peace through our strength; weakness only invites aggression”.
The Circassians should take that in its positive dimension by being firm in their demands, seeking recognition by maintaining self-confidence to sought-out to claim their legitimate rights in accordance with legal and lawful ways and means. That should be observed with maintaining gratitude to their ancestors, speak up about the atrocities faced their nation and still, coordination among all Circassians of the world, cooperation between all sincere active associations and to focus on contribution for the needs of the people within a teamwork structure in everything that participate in strengthening of the necessary means to operate such as the media.
Circassians and in order to assert their existence, continuity and persistence, should oppose and reject the approach of the imposition of the occupation’s dominance and the de facto concepts meant to contaminate the Circassians’ efforts of maintaining their national identity in their whereabouts. They also should pay heed to what it matters to them, and to avoid distorting their image by depending on individuals and/or structures that behave in accordance with groveling and subservience manner, acting as “social climbers” by fawning, opportunists or greedy, and try to implicate the Circassians in weak, unwanted and unenviable situation, which would affect them in the present and future.
Conclusion
After all dreadful and disastrous outcomes that infected the Circassian scene, there is always hope as there is something worth struggling and aiming for, as the bright stars can be seen in dark nights. Circassia is the homeland of the Circassians, which no one is able to change that.
