Circassians at the rally in Berlin demanded the right to return to their homeland.

Participants of the rally marched through the streets of Berlin, holding Circassian flags. At the Russian embassy, they demanded the creation of conditions for the return of Circassians to their historical homeland.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the Ministry of Nationalities of Kabardino-Balkaria sent recommendations to Moscow for revising the federal bill on repatriation based on the appeal of Circassian activists, who criticized the discriminatory nature of the document due to the mandatory requirement of proficiency in the Russian language.

On October 24, 2026, Circassians held their first peaceful political rally in the center of Berlin, at the Brandenburg Gate, dedicated to the Circassian issue. Participants marched through the streets of the city, and at the Embassy of the Russian Federation, they announced a symbolic demand — to recognize the right of Circassians to return to their historical homeland and create the necessary conditions for this, including developing and implementing relevant state programs, reported Circassian activist Martin Kochesoko* on his Telegram channel.

According to the attached photographs, several dozen people participated in the rally, including children and individuals in Circassian national costumes. They held Circassian flags and posters in English with slogans "Freedom of choice. Right to return", "Return must be possible".

According to a statement posted by Kochesoko* on his Telegram channel before the rally, the procedures and obstacles faced by those seeking to return are becoming increasingly complex, raising justified concerns about the future resolution of this issue.

"Our goal is to ensure that the voices of Circassians seeking to return are heard by the competent authorities of the Russian Federation in the hope of initiating a serious dialogue that will lead to concrete practical steps to eliminate the obstacles to the realization of this just demand. The right of Circassians to return to their ancestral homeland is an inherent historical and human right that no one is authorized to compromise or abandon. This is a national issue that transcends any disagreements and unites the Circassian people around a just demand that cannot be erased by time," the statement signed by the Circassian Repatriation Organization reads.

Circassian refugees began arriving in their historical homeland, including Kabardino-Balkaria, in 2012, when the active phase of the war began in Syria. Criticizing the federal bill on repatriation, activists interviewed by "Caucasian Knot" noted that by 2025, there were few among foreign Circassians wishing to move to Russia.

Adyghe (Circassians) is the general name for a single people in Russia and abroad, divided into Kabardians, Circassians, and Adyghes. May 21 is annually commemorated as the Day of Remembrance of the Adyghe, according to a note from "Caucasian Knot".

Materials on the situation of Circassians in Russia and abroad are published by "Caucasian Knot" on the thematic page "Circassian Question". The "Reference" section also contains an article "Parade in Krasnaya Polyana. How Russia broke the resistance of the Circassians".

* included in the register of foreign agents by the Ministry of Justice of Russia.

** the activities of the Meta company (which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are banned in Russia.