Russia should take up Circassians from Syria!

Russia should open its borders for Circassian refugees from Syria! This appeal was made public by representatives of the Circassian diaspora in Germany and the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) during a vigil in front of the Russian Embassy in Berlin on Sunday. "The war in Syria is a terrible threat to the vulnerable Circassian families. The Russian government should no longer keep these desperate people from escaping to their historical homeland in northern Caucasus," said Sarah Reinke, the STP's expert on questions regarding the CIS states.

There are about 100,000 Circassians living in Syria, many of them in the major cities of Damascus, Aleppo and Homs. The civilians there are not safe – but also many smaller Circassian villages were destroyed. "Russia is under an obligation regarding the Circassians in the Middle East, because their ancestors were driven out of northern Caucasus by the tsarist army in 1864," said Reinke. "It is the least that could be done in favor of the descendants of those who survived this crime – to help them escape to the North Caucasus, especially as the population there is also in favor of them."

Since December 2011, Circassians from Syria sent a total of seven appeal-letters with more than a thousand signatures to the Russian president and the president of the North Caucasian republic, asking for admittance – but these cries for help were ignored. Since July 2012, thousands of Circassians have tried to apply for visa at the Russian embassy in Damascus – but without success. The embassy announced that the annual quota of 450 applications from Circassians had been reached. Escape routes to Turkey or Jordan are blocked too: The borders are closed and the Circassians are caught within the combat zone. They are also in danger because of the rebels: As some of the Circassians supported the Assad regime, their ethnic group must fear retaliations by the present opposition. There have already been reports about families receiving threats by the opposition forces.

In the first months of the war, more than 300 Circassians fled from Syria to Kabardino-Balkaria, and about 200 people to Adygeya. The state does not provide any support for the North Caucasus republics in taking care of the refugees – but the civilians are willing to help: 150 people were granted free admission to a hotel. The International Circassian Association pays accommodations in Maikop and gives money to needy families. Free language courses in Russian are offered and about 50 children are able attend school since September 1st, 2012. Around 100 Syrian students now have scholarships in Nalchik.