International Circassian Association appealed to the Parliament of Russia

Chairman
State Duma
Russian Federation

B.V. GRYZLOV

Deputy Chairman
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the State Duma
Russian Federation

A.A. KLIMOVA

The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the State Duma of the Russian Federation 16 May this year, a meeting of deputies of the Russian parliament with nongovernmental Circassian diaspora associations from Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Germany, USA and Russia, united in the International Circassian Association. Let me express my sincere gratitude to the organizers and participants of the event.

Meeting at the State Duma confirmed the importance of direct contacts, early detection and constructive discussion of current issues facing our countrymen. It is known that they have arisen as a result of colonial Caucasian war, carried out by the Russian Empire in the 18-19 centuries, when much of the Circassian people died or were expelled by the Ottoman Empire, and then settled in other countries. Today, language and culture of our compatriots abroad under the threat of extinction. However, Circassians do not have hatred for the modern Russia. On the contrary, Russian and foreign Circassians agree that their problems should be solved primarily with the leadership of the Russian Federation.

Representatives of the Circassian diaspora made several suggestions, which, in our opinion, should be the subject of serious discussion of Russian parliamentarians and other interested federal agencies.

International Circassian Association asks you to consider the following recommendations which could help to address the meeting on the designated range of issues.

1. To form a working group of Russian parliamentarians and other interested federal and regional structures in order to study the present situation of affairs at the Circassians living in the Russian Federation and abroad, taking into account the international dimension of "Circassian perspective." The Circassian diaspora was willing to accept in their country of residence the representative delegation of the Russian parliament. The result of these visits would be to establish close collaboration and cooperation, both economic and in cultural and educational spheres of the Circassian diaspora, as well as the development of Russian legislation with regard to our compatriots abroad.

Currently, the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the International Circassian Association received an invitation from Turkey, Jordan and Israel. In this regard, the International Circassian Association reaffirms our sincere desire to facilitate the visit of the delegation of the State Duma in the countries of residence of Circassian diaspora, as well as our willingness to actively participate in the formation and activity of the working group.

2. Apply to the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation with a proposal to consider a direction to the Russian consulate and embassy in countries where there is Circassian diaspora and representatives of Circassian people, which would allow more actively cooperate with their compatriots.

3. To offer them cooperation in the ongoing programs to support educational, linguistic, social and other legitimate rights and interests of compatriots abroad to organize the teaching of the Circassian language, and promoting the Circassian culture as part of Russian culture in countries where is diaspora.

4. In order to provide additional legal mechanisms to implement Article 11 paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 of the Federal Law "On State Policy of Russian Federation in respect of compatriots abroad» № 99-FZ of 24 May 1999. Consider granting citizenship to compatriots abroad of the Russian Federation under simplified procedure. To do this, submit to the State Duma a draft federal law "On Amending the Federal Law" On Citizenship of the Russian Federation " (attached).

5. In order to create conditions for the realization of Circassian ethnic and cultural rights and interests, their survival and development as one of the Russian federation people to develop and adopt a special program to combat the effects of the Caucasian War to the Circassian people.

I am confident that the constructive tone and sincere interest shown by Russian parliamentarians and leaders of the Circassian Diaspora, would translate into actual government decisions for the good of our country's interests and millions of our compatriots abroad.

President of the International Circassian Association Azhahov K.