On Thursday, January 9, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a resolution recognizing the genocide of the Circassian people committed by the Russian Empire during the Caucasian War of 1763-1864.
This was reported by Volodymyr Viatrovych, MP from the European Solidarity party, historian, according to Novynarnia.
The resolution was adopted with 232 votes in favor.
“This is a historic resolution, which is the result of the joint work of the TSC (Temporary Special Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine),” Viatrovych said.
The main provisions of the resolution:
The mass extermination of Circassians and their forced expulsion from their historical homeland in 1763-1864 must be officially recognized as genocide;
The Council also decided to express solidarity with the Circassian people and honor the memory of the victims of this crime;
In addition, the Council: condemns the genocidal actions of the Russian Empire, which led to significant losses in the Circassian society;
calls on all countries and organizations that have not yet recognized the mass destruction of Circassians as genocide to do so;
recognizes the right of the Circassian people to repatriate to the lands of their former settlement in the northwestern part of the Caucasus with the further realization of the right to national self-determination;
condemns the attempts of the current Russian regime to distort historical facts;
instructed the relevant bodies of the Verkhovna Rada to work out the next steps, including the creation of educational and research programs.