2014 | Turkey
The Letter by Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey
The letter sent by Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, to the Federatio of the Caucasian Associations in Turkey on the 150th Anniversary of the Circassian Genocide and Exile
24 May 2014
Mr. YaÅŸar Aslankaya
President of the Federation of Caucasian Associations
On the 150th anniversary of the Great Circassian Exile, we once again remember the great pain our Circassian brothers went through and once again share their pain with our hearts.
Our Circassian Brothers, who, like all the peoples of the vast geography we live in, are devoted to their freedom, independence, beliefs and values with love, were subjected to one of the greatest persecutions in the history of humanity in the 18th century, and they lost millions of martyrs.
Those who survived were sentenced to a long exile, leaving their native land.
Circassians, like all the peoples of this geography, are our brothers with whom we share a common destiny. Turkey's history was built with our Circassian brothers; undoubtedly, the future will be built together.
It is a goal that we, as the government, fight for, that each of our 77 million brothers can preserve their mother tongue, their own culture, traditions and beliefs, and feel themselves as first-class citizens of this country without any discrimination.
The period of denial, rejection and assimilation has ended forever.
With the steps we take, it is ensured that each of our brothers can speak, learn and teach their mother tongue.
There is no doubt that the bitter memories of our own brothers and sisters, our Circassian brothers, whom we see as the owners of this homeland together with 77 million, are undoubtedly our pain.
We wholeheartedly support the just struggle of our Circassian brothers, and we fight together for a world dominated by peace and justice so that such great suffering does not happen again.
On the 150th Anniversary, once again we commemorate with mercy our martyrs who lost their lives in the Great Circassian Exile and all our Circassian brothers and sisters who died in exile; I send my love and greetings to our Circassian brothers who are citizens of the Republic of Turkey and to all Circassians around the world.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Prime Minister