On the indigenous right of return: Mason Wiley, ‘Circassian Right of Return: “Putin the Terrible or Putin the Enlightened?”‘, American University International Law Review, 29, 5, 2015, pp. 141-170 | settler colonial studies blog

On the indigenous right of return: Mason Wiley, ‘Circassian Right of Return: “Putin the Terrible or Putin the Enlightened?”‘, American University International Law Review, 29, 5, 2015, pp. 141-170

05Mar15

From the Introduction: Circassians are an indigenous ethnic group that originates in the northwestern Caucasus Mountains. Throughout the nineteenth century, the Russian Empire enacted a policy to eradicate Circassians from their ancestral homelands, effectively pushing almost all surviving Circassians throughout the diaspora. Russia recently hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, the heart of Circassian ancestral lands. Many Circassians have expressed an interest in returning to Circassia, particularly Circassians fleeing the conflict in Syria.

Under article 12(4) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (“ICCPR”), Russia has an obligation to allow Circassians the right of return. Many Circassians, particularly refugees from Syria, wish to utilize Russia’s Compatriot Law (a program to encourage Russians throughout the diaspora to return to Russia). However, a recent determination by Russian officials that Circassians are not considered compatriots under the law has prevented Circassian right of return. Russia should meet its obligations under the ICCPR’s article 12(4) to allow Circassians the right of return by either amending the Compatriot Law or creating a new law to repatriate Circassians.

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