February 12, 2010
As the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games approaches and as preparations for the universal celebration of sport and the human spirit come to an end, there continues to grow a sense of disappointment and anger due to blatant human rights violations and the lack of international standards of decency by host nations towards indigenous communities and the shear ignorance of this by the I.O.C. (International Olympic Committee), its sponsors and supporters. Members of the NO SOCHI 2014 COMMITTEE will be present in Vancouver to commemorate the commencement of the global Circassian movement that has been mobilized against the Sochi Winter Games; ‘No Sochi 2014’. The Russian Federation refuses to acknowledge the Circassian Genocide in Sochi inflicted on our forefathers along with current and unending crimes against humanity toward the Circassians of the North Caucasus. This has ignited a global effort, direct opposition and has united the Circassian diaspora like never before from the emotional, intellectual and sociopolitical perspectives.
In 2008, our struggle having been recognized by various US dignitaries and US Representatives was presented to the United States Congress calling on the I.O.C. to find a new venue for the 2014 Winter Games. We as Circassians living in the United States of America feel an unjust treatment of our cause having been ignored throughout our history. We simultaneously feel hope in the possibility of creating international awareness thru this global petition at the Vancouver Winter Games to shed light on our genocide and the current treatment of our indigenous population. This is an attempt to develop a platform for progress in gaining understanding and transparency on centuries of persecution and denial of our identity. As Sochi was the staging point for the forced and bloody deportation of our forefathers, we trust that the World and the Olympic movement would not align itself with the traitorous history of Sochi and the past and present atrocities that will no doubt show its face during the 2014 Winter Games.
In conclusion we are against the games taking place in our historical Circassia stricken by blood and fire for many centuries and as previously noted until this very day. We, the descendants of the Circassian Genocide in exile, haven't forgotten the tragic but worthy past that we inherited from our grandfathers and grandmothers. We are observing with great pain, anxiety and bitterness the latest attempts of the I.O.C. and the Russian’s which will inevitably lead to the further destruction of Sochi and its surroundings. Make no mistake the Russian Federation has a distinct agenda of eradication, beginning with the genocide in past history that has gone unnoticed by the international community. This agenda has methodically worked itself into success to this day without notice. This is evidence as the Russian Federation moves forward with their plans to bring a vale of celebration in an attempt to hide their crimes against humanity from the rest of the world and from the I.O.C.
The Circassian Cultural Institute
Member of NO SOCHI 2014 COMMITTEE
www.nosochi2014.com
