News Center – Tülay Hatimoğulları, co-chair of the Peoples and Beliefs Commission of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), released a statement commemorating the 158th anniversary of the Circassian Genocide.

“On the 158th Anniversary, We Will Not Forget the Circassian Exile and Genocide,” the statement said, “the Circassian people paid a tremendous price in the 101-year battles in their Caucasus country, where they have lived for thousands of years. The genocide against Circassians and their exile from their homeland occurred on May 21, 1864.”

'They were killed on the route to exile.'

The statement emphasized that the Circassians' tragedy of exile and extermination should not be forgotten. “Ninety percent of the Circassian people were displaced from their homeland and dispersed around the world, with over 500,000 Circassians dying on route to exile."

The statement clarified that the Circassians in Turkey face oppression: "Despite these repressive measures, the Circassians see the 21st of May as the day of existence, resistance, and revolt. They preserve their presence and identity in their home country and in exile without interruption. As HDP, we demand that Circassians be granted the democratic rights and freedoms that they require in order to live and maintain their identity, language, and traditions. We shall continue to pursue the Circassian demands. We assure that we will not forget the 158th anniversary of the exile and genocide against them.”