Statement of Circassian Public Organizations of the Russian Federation

On August 1, 2012, the international Circassian community celebrates the Solidarity Day with the Circassians of the Syrian Arab Republic (SAR). We, representatives of Circassian (Adyg) public organizations of Russia, seeking to attract the attention of Russian and international public to the tight situation of the Circassian community of the SAR, all Russian citizens and our compatriots in this country, hereby declare the following:

       The aggravation of the political situation in Syria, confrontations of governmental troops and armed opposition, entailing essential human losses are causing pain and compassion in our hearts;

       The efforts of the international community aimed at peaceful settlement of the situation in the SAR bring no visible results; while ordinary citizens suffer huge losses; and human rights and freedoms are violated;

       In the Syrian conflict, the Russian Federation sticks to the principles of the international law and the inalienable right of the people of the SAR to independently, through a political dialogue,define their own destiny;

       Due to the difficult humanitarian situation in Syria, the leaders of our state and the heads of regions, social movements and organizations are receiving numerous appeals of the members of the Circassian community of this country, our compatriots and citizens of the Russian Federation, who ask for help in their voluntary resettlement and humanitarian evacuation to the Russian Federation. Unfortunately, these appeals fail to find adequate support of the Russian bodies of power;

       In March 2012, the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation sent a representative delegation to Damascus with participation of nongovernmental organizations with the aim to study the situation in Syria and meet our compatriots and Russian citizens of Russiain order to make recommendations on how to resolve the current humanitarian situation. We hereby state that the recommendations developed by the above delegation of the Council of Federation are ignored by federal bodies of state power of the Russian Federation;

       Within the context of the concern of the public in our country about the situation with the Circassian Diaspora and Russian citizens in Syria, the Public Chamber of the Russian Federationhas considered the issue at its sitting and forwarded its recommendations to the President of the Russian Federation and regional leaders of Northern Caucasus. But again, we have not heard a word in support of these recommendations;

       Given huge armed collisions underway in Syria, most of our compatriots are unable to leave Syria and independently arrive in the Russian Federation. Thousands of women, elderly people and children are in extremely difficult humanitarian situation. Hundreds are killed, and tens of thousands every day are facing incredible challenges. It is the duty and obligation of the Russian Federation to take urgent measures to save our compatriots and fellow citizens, who happened to be now in the SAR. This important political step is in full compliance with international obligations and legislation of the Russian Federation and with moral and humanistic values of our society. It will contribute to the growth of Russia's international reputation and better understanding among the nations of our great country.

M. Khafitse, Tkhamada of the Public Association (PA) "Adyge-Khase" of the Kabardino-BalkarianRepublic

M. Cherkesov, Chairman of the Public Movement (PM) "Adyge-Khase" of the Karachay-CherkessianRepublic

A. Bogus, Tkhamate of the "Adyge-Khase– Circassian Parliament" of the Republic of Adygea

A. Sokht, Chairman of the KrasnodarTerritorial PA "Adyge-Khase"

M. Chachukh, Chairman of the KrasnodarTerritorial PA "Society 'Adyge-Khase' of Black-Sea Shapsugs (Circassians)"

B. Derbitov, President of "Adyge-Khase" of the city of Mozdok (Republic of North Ossetia– Alania)

A. Khurai, Deputy Chairman of the Congress of Caucasian Nations (Moscow)

A. Schukov, Chairman of the ArmavirCity Cultural PA "Adyge-Khase"