REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA
The Georgian Parliament became the first national parliament in the world to officially recognize the Circassian Genocide on 20 May 2011 (Resolution No. 4701-I). This landmark decision marked a historic milestone in the international recognition of one of the nineteenth century's most devastating ethnic cleansings. Georgia's recognition continues to stand as a powerful precedent, and the ICPC regards it as a foundation upon which broader international acknowledgment can and must be built.
Resolution of the Parliament of Georgia
On the Recognition of Genocide of Circassians by the Russian Empire
Recalling the colonial policy of the Russian Empire towards Circassians during the Russo-Caucasus war (1763-1864), when the Russian political and military leadership planned and executed ethnic cleansing of Circassian territories, subsequently settling the territories with other ethnic groups;
Recalling the fact that as a result of multiple punitive military expeditions, more than 90% of the Circassian population was annihilated;
Recalling numerous official documents of the Russian Empire confirming its aggressive actions, such as artificially engineered famines and epidemics amongst the civilian population, aimed at the physical annihilation of representatives of the Circassian people;
Recalling the 7 February 1992 Decree of the Supreme Council of Kabardino Balkaria Republic (№977–XII-B) on the Condemnation of the Act of Genocide of Adyge (Circassians) During the Russian-Caucasian War, and legally and politicallymassessing the results of the Russo-Caucasus War (1763-1864),
The Parliament of Georgia:
1. Recognizes the mass murder of Circassians (Adyge) during the Russo- Caucasus War and their forceful eviction from their homeland, as an act of genocide,in accordance with the IV Hague Convention on Laws and Customs of War on Land
of October 18, 1907 and the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 9 December 1948;
2. Recognizes the Circassians, forcefully deported during and after the period of the Russo-Caucasus War, as refugees, in line with the Convention on the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951.
Tblisi,
20 May 2011.