Circassian organizations protest against Abkhaz conference held by European Parliament

According to activists of a number of Circassian organizations, on 28 June in Brussels for the fault of the Abkhaz delegation, the Day of Circassian Culture at the European Parliament was disrupted. According to their story, instead of that Day, another event – the conference "Abkhazia and Europe – Ways to Mutual Understanding and Rapprochement" – was held.

Let us remind you that the Day of Circassian Culture (the "Circassian Day") at the European Parliament was first held in 2006. The aim of the action was to familiarize the broader European audience with the culture, history, tradition and modern problems of Circassians.

Prior to holding the event, it became known that the Federation of European Circassians (Eurokhase) had delivered the "Circassian Day" to Abkhazia for holding the international conference "Europe and Abkhazia - Ways to Mutual Understanding and Rapprochement".

As noted in the statement of Russian Circassian organizations, instead of discussing the actual problems of the Circassian people, the organizer of the event – the Eurokhase – "has changed the format of 'Circassian Days at European Parliament', which resulted in a banal lobbying of the interests of other states and nations."

Activists of some Circassian organizations have prepared a letter to the Chairman of the European Parliament Martin Schulz and organized collection of signatures to the letter. According to its authors, the Eighth Day of Circassian Culture was held without participation of representatives of the Circassian people.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the "Circassian issue" has been raised recently in the context of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.