Karakter boyutu :
Adel Bashqawi
The Bitter Anniversary Returns Again-The 153rd Circassian Memorial Day
20 Mayıs 2017 Cumartesi Saat 23:32
The Bitter Anniversary Returns Again
World-Circassians mourn the month of May. For May 21st commemorates the end of the Russo-Circassian war, the century long war. A war with disastrous consequences on a nation that tried to defend its freedom, dignity and independence.
This was in the face of a treacherous invasion that exhausted the constituents of the nation, annihilated half of its population, occupied its entire homeland, and deported the remaining inhabitants to remote lands.
It is the moral and national responsibility of Circassians to carry out their duties and assert self-preservations. It is also our responsibility not to neglect or deny these rights due to personal pressure or acts that sum up as selfish, narcissistic and bear no accountability whatsoever.
When discussing the Circassian Question and affairs, it’s necessary to review the results of the Russian occupation of the Caucasus, in general, and Circassia, in particular. It is imperative as well to discuss the fate of the millions who, to this day, have been subjected to genocide, ethnic cleansing and forced exile. Some events should not be forgotten or underestimated, as these have been mentioned by highly credible and trusted sources. We can, and should, rely on the events to narrate what happened, and to also find the appropriate means to resolve and settle the Circassian Question, in accordance with international laws and norms.
Those who are aware of imperialism and colonialism know that facts are opposed by the publication of biased or fabricated information about history, heritage and sequence of events. Unfortunately, this includes biased references and sources, staff and authors who represent racism and/or apartheid and defend everything that the Russian Empire’s imperialism has caused in Circassia; including destructive propaganda against the Circassian nation.
The Circassian history is far brighter and more superior to the image that some malicious people intend to portray. They do so by attempting to convince others of false incidents while utilizing dubious and unreliable references and links.
As for the right of the Circassians to return to their original homeland, an article in Window on Eurasia (WOE), by the well-known analyst Paul Goble described the nation as “a nation tsarist forces expelled, the Soviets divided into more than five parts, and the current Russian government refuses to recognize as compatriots those Circassians seeking to return to their homeland because of conflicts in Syria where many have been living.” The WOE article continued in stating Moscow “has set up quotas for each of the North Caucasus Republics and neighboring Russian kray where most Circassians now live and thrown up obstacles, including the payment of high fees for visas and resident permits, that have prevented Syria’s Circassians from filling even these quotas.”
The WOE also included the statement of the head of the Kabardino-Balkar Regional Human Rights Center, which describes the ethnic discrimination that is still practiced by the Russian State against the indigenous citizens. He mentioned “in one infamous case, the Russian authorities expelled Syrian refugees from sanatoriums in Kabardino-Balkaria in order to provide housing for refugees from Ukraine following the Russian invasion of that country and the Crimean Anschluss.” (http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2017/04/moscow-unwittingly-promoting-broader.html)
Head of the Kabardino-Balkar Regional Human Rights Center, states that the Circassians of Syria and elsewhere should be granted that status because they speak one of the state languages – their language is official in the Adygey Republic – but that Moscow hasn’t been willing to do so (kavkazr.com/a/cherkesy-dobivayutsa-priznania/28435551.html).
While those who deny the rights of their own people and homeland, do not write or publish only according to their interests and desires, but also aim to favor the forces and parties that seek to control and take over the destinies and homelands of others.
This is reminiscent of individuals who want to draw attention from a fundamental and substantial issue to minor issues, which have nothing to do with the original issue at hand. It is obvious in many examples before us. Entities who want to argue for the sake of arguing by forgetting their own history and the work that must be done to preserve a population that some prefer to systematically persecute and murder.
I continue to believe of what Abraham Lincoln said: “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it (http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=5268).”
***
The 153rd Circassian Memorial Day
One more annual commemoration is looming to remind of one of the most ancient and deep-rooted nations of the North Caucasus. Circassia had to cope with imposed harsh consequences due to a destructive war that led to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. Since then, the results of which have remained before us unresolved, with no thoughtfulness by the concerned. All this despite the irrefutable evidence of indifference to the fate of a devastated people.
It is not surprising to conclude that the state, which has consecutively inherited a colonial legacy left by the Tsarist Russian Empire to act or react in a blunt way and uncivilized manner. That emphasizes the lack of interest in an immediate resolving of pending peoples’ issues and problems. Such suspended matters require substantial and honorable solution. Certainly, one day, world Consensus would lead to the liquidation of colonialism and its consequences.
Nevertheless, officials have exaggerated in reducing the value and importance of those who got their rights in their homeland confiscated and/or deprived. It is not the custom or tendency of peoples to refrain from claiming their natural and legitimate rights. It is well-known about the occupiers that they tend to ignore the language of logic and reason, taking into consideration imperial interests aiming at preserving the status quo and denying the right of peoples to self-determination and the restoration of their rights that can not be denied in any way.
This particular day reminds of the last Circassian capital city, where Russia in coordination with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), had engaged three years ago to hold the Winter Olympic Games in February 2014, on the land of Circassian Genocide. Joshua Keating has published an article entitled: “Did the Age of Genocide Begin in Sochi?” The author stated: “In one small but significant development, the governor of Krasnodar province, where the games will take place, acknowledged that ‘This land has not belonged to the Russian Empire, it belonged to Caucasus nations, to Circassians’.” (http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_world_/2014/02/05/the_circassians_and_the_olympics_did_the_age_of_genocide_begin_in_sochi.html)
He continued, to emphasize the reality of reminding the world of the Circassian tragedy: “Given the painful memories associated with Sochi, it’s understandable that Circassians have reacted with outrage to the choice of venue. But it also may be the only thing that could have reminded the world of a largely forgotten tragedy.” (http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_world_/2014/02/05/the_circassians_and_the_olympics_did_the_age_of_genocide_begin_in_sochi.html)
In addition, an article entitled: “Skiing On Mass Graves.” was published on the 7th of February, 2014, has affirmed: “The date of 1864 makes 2014 the 150th anniversary of the Circassian expulsion. From the Sochi coast, ships loaded with Circassian refugees set sail for the Ottoman Empire. Circassians died in thousands on the journey, of hunger and disease. The triumphant parade of Russian troops, marking the end of the war, took place on May 21, 1864 in Krasnaya Polyana, site of the Sochi Winter Olympics.” (http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2014/02/07/skiing-on-mass-graves/)
Currently, there are many countries, from the recently collapsed Soviet Union, neighboring the Russian Federation. Countries such as the three Baltic republics, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (https://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/10/putins-dangerous-games-in-the-baltic/#), Georgia (http://www.wnd.com/2015/09/nato-facility-in-georgia-evokes-russian-threat/), Belarus (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/02/18/russia-belarus-rift-grows-as-putin-loses-patience.html), Moldova (http://112.international/opinion/ukraine-moldova-relations-russian-threat-as-a-cure-for-jealousy-16071.html), Ukraine (http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/the-rio-olympics-are-a-distraction-russia-is-positioning-itself-for-further-action-against-ukraine-a7186736.html), and others are facing a risk of being involved in conflict of interest in the face of a Russian desire, to subjugate and/or dominate them to its imperialist and colonial influence, in whole or in part.
Concerning the Circassian Question, the time will not pass in vain or without drawing lessons. Also it will lead to solving all dangling issues in accordance with rules of logic and wisdom. Thence, that will shape an appropriate resolution when the circumstances generate adequate solution by forming relevant conditions that will allow the occurrence of change at a proper time. Circassians treated their homeland like their mother, as Pope John Paul II said: “I kiss the soil as if I placed a kiss on the hands of a mother, for the homeland is our earthly mother. I consider it my duty to be with my compatriots in this sublime and difficult moment.” (https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/p/popejohnpa114671.html)
Bu yazı toplam 3967 defa okundu.
SEMİH AKGÜN
Thanks! The brave son of Circassia...
23 Mayıs 2017 Salı Saat 10:39
vahiterdo
RUS EMPERYASININ KAFKAYA YI İŞGALİ DEVAM EDİYOR HALA !!!
Rus faşizmin kuramcılarından N.Danlıyevski diyor ki; biz hiç bir coğrafyayı işgal etmedik , ağır bedeller ödeyerek, dağlı vahşi kavimlere medeniyet götürdük, Günümüzde kılasik emperyalizim dönemi sonlanıyor ama hala 16 y.y, aklı ile sahte Rusya fed nunu yöneten v.v.PUTİN işgallere devam ediyor , yeni fetuhatlar peşinde, iletişim araçlarının en faşist şekilde kullanarak toplumu zehirliyor dini ve milli ayrılıkları körüklüyor.,,liberallere sosyalistlere kan kusturuyor, baş yardımcısı da komünist partisinin halk ve işçi sınıfı düşmanı Stalinist başkanı G.Zuganoftur,,, Kafkasya da ki kavga bir toprak-din kavgası değildir, insanın haklarına göre demokratik özgürleşme savaşımı olmalıdır,,, RUSYA toplumları özgürleşmeden Kafkas halkları özgürleşemez. mücadele ortaktır, Kafkasya konfedaratif demokratik partisi kurulmalıdır., EMEK-BİLGİ-GİRİŞİM en yüce değerlerdir, çok marifet var insanda..selamlar..
Melhiy Mehmet Şahin
Wepsev Adel. Arı, shipha.
21 Mayıs 2017 Pazar Saat 00:27