Foreign Ministry message on Crimean Tatar and Circassian exile

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement on the anniversaries of the Crimean Tatar and Circassian exiles, which represent some of the most painful pages in history. The statement emphasized that hundreds of thousands of people were torn from their homelands and sent to labor camps, and that the great suffering experienced during this process remains etched in the memory of the Turkish nation.

THE PAIN OF CRIMEAN TATAR TURKS HAS NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN

In the statement made by the Ministry, it was recalled that Crimean Tatar Turks were forcibly removed from their homelands in 1944, and the following expressions were included: "82 years ago today, hundreds of thousands of our kinsmen were exiled to labor camps, and many lost their lives as a result of the harsh conditions they were subjected to. The suffering of the Crimean Tatar Turks, who could not return to their homelands for many years, has been further aggravated by the illegal annexation of the Peninsula." It was stated with determination that Turkey's support for its kinsmen in preserving their national identity and ensuring their well-being will continue.

THE GREAT TRAGEDY OF CAUCASIAN PEOPLES: CIRCASSIAN EXILE

The statement continued by addressing the Circassian Exile that took place on May 21, 1864. While it was noted that the peoples of the Caucasus were forced to leave their homelands under very harsh conditions, it was recorded that this event is commemorated as a profound humanitarian tragedy on its 162nd anniversary. The Ministry emphasized solidarity with the message, "We share the pain of the Crimean Tatars and the brotherly peoples of the Caucasus, and we commemorate those who lost their lives with respect and mercy."