European cities host actions in memory of victims of deportation of Chechen and Ingush peoples

Paris, Strasbourg, Berlin, Vienna, and other European cities hosted actions in memory of deported Chechen and Ingush people.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 23, residents of Chechnya and Ingushetia pay tribute to the victims of deportation. Earlier, Chechnya marked the Day of Memory and Grief on February 23; however, in 2011, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov issued a resolution to mark the Day of Memory and Grief on May 10.

In Paris, about 30 people gathered at Republic Square to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of deportation.

According to Zara Murtazalieva, one of participants of the event, a former political prisoner, this year, the major event was held in Strasbourg and gathered Chechens from all over Europe. The event in Strasbourg was attended by about 1000 people.

Activists who delivered their speeches during the event expressed their indignation about the fact that the eviction of 1944 has not been recognized as genocide and that till present, Chechnya and Ingushetia have not yet got back their lands granted to other republics.

In Belgium, the event in memory of deportation victims was attended by about 250 people, and which was also a large-scale action, notes Zara Murtazalieva.

In Berlin, a small action was held at the Brandenburg Gate, reports its participant Sulim Yunusov. It was held by the "German-Caucasian Committee" and led by human rights defender Ekke Maas.

One more action was held in Vienna.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.