An activist called the Shusha conference a new stage for the "Circassian issue."

Rustam Khuazhev, a member of the presidium of the German-based League of Free Nations, stated that the international conference held in Shusha, Azerbaijan, marked the starting point of a new phase in the campaign for recognition of the "genocide of the Circassian people" during the Russo-Caucasian War.

Khuazhev's video message was published on the World Circassian Agency YouTube channel. In it, he summarized the results of the international conference "Cultural and Ethnic Diversity: Lessons of History, Contemporary Challenges," which took place on July 6. According to Khuazhev, the event brought together human rights activists, historians, and public figures from ten countries and allowed the discussion of the Circassian issue to reach a new level.

"We went to Shusha openly and with a clear, legitimate goal: to initiate and advance the issue of recognizing historical justice... And I can confidently say: our voice was heard," Khuazhev stated.

According to him, after the conference, its participants agreed on further interaction with Azerbaijani society and government agencies. He also reported that some foreign forum participants expressed support for the initiative. In particular, he reported that Lithuanian public figures spoke in favor of raising the Circassian issue on international platforms, including the UN, calling this a continuation of the course that, according to Khuazhev, Georgia and Ukraine had previously begun.

He specifically addressed Azerbaijan's role in international politics. In his opinion, the country enjoys "authority on the global stage," and President Ilham Aliyev "openly addresses complex international issues and boldly speaks out on all pressing contemporary issues." This, the activist is confident, can contribute to the advancement of the campaign for recognition of the "genocide of the Circassian people."

Khuazhev emphasized that he considers the recent conference not a conclusion, but rather the beginning of further work to advance the recognition of the "genocide of the Circassian people."

The campaign for international recognition of the "Circassian genocide" has been ongoing for many years. Its proponents seek recognition of the mass deaths and deportation of Circassians after the end of the Russo-Caucasian War in 1864 as genocide. Russian authorities reject this classification. In 2011, the Georgian parliament adopted a corresponding resolution, and in 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved a similar resolution.

Последние новости
Investigative Committee of Armenia Examines Theory of Multiple Masterminds Behind Aishat Baimuradova’s Murder
Human rights
Investigative Committee of Armenia Examines Theory of Multiple Masterminds Behind Aishat Baimuradova’s Murder
23 October 2026

The Investigative Committee of Armenia is exploring the theory that there may have been multiple masterminds behind the murder of Aishat Baimuradova, a native of Chechnya who had fled domestic violence. The agency disclosed this in response to an inquiry from the outlet "Vot Tak," which also reported that the Russian side has, for the second time, failed to respond to a request from Armenian investigators for assistance with the case.
Five Crimean Tatars Speak of Repression in Court Before Sentencing
Human rights
Five Crimean Tatars Speak of Repression in Court Before Sentencing
23 October 2026

The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don has sentenced six Crimean Tatars from Bakhchysarai to prison terms ranging from 15 to 19 years, to be served in a strict-regime penal colony, in a case involving alleged ties to the organization Hizb ut-Tahrir. In their final statements, five of the defendants asserted that the criminal prosecution is a form of pressure exerted on Crimean Tatars due to their religion and ethnicity. Remzi Nimetulaev declined to make a statement.
The Constitutional Court of Georgia has refused to postpone the hearing of a case concerning the potential banning of opposition parties
Politics
The Constitutional Court of Georgia has refused to postpone the hearing of a case concerning the potential banning of opposition parties
23 October 2026

The Constitutional Court of Georgia rejected a request by former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s party, "For Georgia," to delay the proceedings regarding a petition to ban five opposition parties. The case will resume in three days, despite objections from the opposition, who had requested more time to prepare their defense.
Kadyrov Announces Killing of Suspect in Attack on Traffic Police Post in Gudermes
Politics
Kadyrov Announces Killing of Suspect in Attack on Traffic Police Post in Gudermes
23 October 2026

In Chechnya, during intensive raids by security forces—conducted as part of a search for suspects involved in an attack on a traffic police post in Gudermes in October 2025—one individual was killed and another was detained. This was announced by the head of the republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, during a meeting with representatives of the security services. Prior to this, Chechen authorities had not officially commented on reports regarding the attack.