Cancellation of march in Nalchik on Adygs' Memory Day outrages social network users

Authorities of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) have denied the request of the initiative group to hold on May 21 a mourning march for victims of the Caucasian War, Valery Khatazhukov, a human rights defender, has stated. Adygs (Circassians) should be able to hold events related to their culture, regardless of the current political agenda. The ban on holding a mourning march in Nalchik is an interference with their traditions, users of the social network "VKontakte" have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that events are held annually in the KBR to commemorate the end of the Caucasian War. Thus, on May 20, 2021, in Nalchik, at the "Tree of Life" monument dedicated to the Adygs-victims of the Caucasian War, activists lit 101 candles, one for each year of the war.

Now, KBR authorities have refused to allow a group of the Kabardian national movement to hold a march to mark the anniversary of the end of the Caucasian War. The reason was the violation of the deadlines for submitting a respective notification, Valery Khatazhukov, the chairman of the Kabardino-Balkarian Regional Human Rights Centre, has explained.

"The ban on the march has sparked caused a wave of indignation not only in Russia, but also among the numerous Circassian Diasporas around the world," Mr Khatazhukov has added.

Let us remind you that in 2020, the mourning march on the occasion of the anniversary of the end of the Caucasian War was not held because of the pandemic. Circassian activists posted thematic videos on social media dedicated to the Memory Day of Victims of the Caucasian War.