In Turkey, more than 300 persons attend rally and pickets in support of Syrian Circassians

In Turkish cities of Ankara, Istanbul and Antalya, rallies and pickets in support of Syrian Circassians were attended by more than 300 persons. This was reported by the organizing committee for the World Campaign in Solidarity with Syrian Circassians, held on September 23.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 23, Moscow hosted a picket of Circassian organizations, coordinated with Central Prefecture of Moscow. The action was attended by about 70 persons. The actions in support of Syrian Circassians are also planned to be held in Abkhazia, Turkey, and the USA.

"In Istanbul, at 2:00 p.m., a march along Taksim Square was started. The action was attended by about 200 persons. Then, a rally was held in front of the General Consulate of the Russian Federation in Turkey," said Azamat Berzegov, a member of the organizing committee for the World Campaign in Solidarity with Syrian Circassians.

According to him, in Antalya, more than 50 Circassians attended the picket in front of the Consulate of the Russian Federation. "In Ankara, also more than 50 persons held a picket in front of the Embassy of the Russian Federation. The participants of the protester action were chanting the slogans: 'Return Circassians to their Homeland!', 'War in Syria is not Our War!', 'We Demand to Evacuate Syrian Circassians to Russia!" Azamat Berzegov stated.

He has noted that in conclusion of the protest actions, the participants adopted appeals to the Russian Ambassador in Turkey to comply with the demands to observe the rights of compatriots to return to their historic homeland.

The public organization "Circassian Platform" was one of the organizers of rallies in support of Syrian Circassians in Turkey. On the occasion of the World Campaign in Solidarity with Syrian Circassians, the public organization issued a statement in which it emphasized that, in accordance with the Russian law, compatriots have the right to return from abroad to their homeland.

"Russia should evacuate the Syrian Circassians to Circassia," said the statement, published on the website of the "Circassian Platform". Besides, the document also emphasizes that "the Russian state should not require visas and invitations to be presented by Syrian Circassians" and that it should "allow them to enter the Republics of Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Adygea with Syrian passports and identity cards, remove all the bureaucratic and legal barriers for Syrian Circassians, recognize the right of Circassians of Syria and other countries on dual citizenship."

Berlin also hosted a rally in support of Circassians, and it was attended by 9 persons. According to Azamat Berzegov, in the USA, in the city of Wayne, the planned rally did not take place, since its organizer was not able to hold it because of certain circumstances.