Thanks to Ukraine for Recognizing the Circassian Genocide: The Suffering of the Circassian Nation
Adel Bashqawi
January 9, 2025
This is a moment of truth, reality, and certainty—a time when eternal hope emanates from a great nation that cherishes freedom and independence despite enduring the onslaught of invaders and tyrants. Ukraine, even while enduring treachery, murder, and destruction from ongoing attacks, continues to resist attempts to undermine its status as an independent and sovereign state.
In a gesture of hope, though tinged with profound sadness for the souls lost in the brutal war, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (the Ukrainian Parliament) made an unprecedented and courageous decision. Despite the relentless conflict, Ukraine has recognized the Circassian genocide, transforming a long-held aspiration into a tangible reality and offering a sincere acknowledgment of the Circassian nation’s suffering.
Ukraine’s decision extends hope and optimism to the Circassian nation, which has endured over a century and a half of invasion, occupation, genocide, and deportation. Despite their wounds and enduring ordeals, the Circassian people have refused to surrender to despair. They share a common history of resisting colonial and imperial ambitions that have afflicted both the Circassian and Ukrainian nations—as well as other regions in the North Caucasus and beyond—from the era of the Russian Empire through successive Russian regimes to the present day.
This recognition follows Georgia’s example, which acknowledged the Circassian genocide on May 20, 2011. We hope that more countries will follow suit in the future. Like the mythical Phoenix, hope rises from the ashes, giving eternal meaning to the lives of enduring nations. As expressed in a meaningful poem:
“If, one day, the people desires to live,
Then fate must respond,
Gloom of night must dissipate
And the shackles must break.”
Source: ArabLit.org
Despite the hardships faced by the Circassian nation since 1864, scattered across the paths of displacement and deportation—between their homeland and a vast diaspora in dozens of countries—dawn must come. The bright morning sun, full of hope and promise, will eventually appear. As wisdom reminds us: “How narrow life would be without the space of hope.”
Circassia and other captive nations express their profound appreciation to Ukraine for recognizing the suffering and extermination of the Circassian people. This moment emphasizes the strengthening of eternal bonds forged through shared struggles and aspirations for freedom, justice, and the inescapable right to self-determination.
“All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.”
— Winston Churchill
Source: Goodreads
References:
[1] https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/186171
[2] https://www.hekams.com/?id=11034
