Shusha: Another panel discussion titled "Ethnic and Cultural Diversity as the Wealth of Humanity" was held as part of the international conference "Cultural and Ethnic Diversity: Lessons from History, Modern Challenges", organized in Shusha by the Center for Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Public Union in partnership with the Silk Road Cultural and Historical Research Public Union, APA reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the panel moderator, Turkish researcher, journalist, and analyst Nalan Yazgan Eris, emphasized the importance of dialogue and addressing issues with the involvement of all stakeholders. She highlighted the tragedy faced by the Circassian people, noting that the Russo-Circassian War of 1763-1864 was a systematic effort to destroy an entire population. Eris pointed out the controversial public glorification of figures like General Grigory Zass, who collected Circassian skulls as trophies, and the ongoing prohibition of peaceful commemorative events related to Circassians in Russia.
Eris further mentioned the arrest of participants in a silent memorial march in Nalchik in 2025 and stated that the legal, political, and cultural repercussions of the 1864 Circassian genocide still impact the descendants of its victims.
Professor Cahit Aslan from Trkiye's ‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¡ukurova University delivered a presentation on "Circassian National Identity and Collective Memory." He discussed how millions of Circassian families across the globe strive to preserve their cultural memory through rituals and ceremonies. Aslan explained that Circassian identity reflects both the Adyghe people and a broader supra-identity of indigenous peoples deported from the North Caucasus. He highlighted historical deportations by the Kremlin, affecting the collective memory of communities like the Karachays, Balkars, and Chechens.
Rustam Khuzhayev, from the Board of the League of Free Nations, joined the conference from Germany and spoke on "Discrimination and the Fight Against It." He described Russia's attempts to dictate cultural and social norms, leading to systematic discrimination. Khuzhayev noted the weakening of political representation for indigenous peoples and the increasing centralization of governance, alongside mass detentions and pressures on young people and their families.
Fatima Tlis from the World Circassian Agency in the United States addressed the challenges of ensuring historical justice for the Circassians. She argued that the Circassian issue would remain unresolved as long as their homeland faces colonial oppression, and restrictions on learning the native language and the right of return persist. Tlis asserted that the Circassian people's will for freedom and national identity would resist attempts at erasure or assimilation.