The Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) Peoples and Beliefs Council issued a statement to mark the anniversary of the Circassian genocied, on 21 May 1864.

The HDK said: "156 years have passed since this genocide and the huge exodus which followed it." 

The HDK recalled and reaffirmed the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) 1997 resolution which called upon the Russian Federation and the international community to "acknowledge the genocide of the Circassian nation that took place in the 19th century and to grant the Circassian people status of an exile nation".

In addition HDK called upon the Russian Federation to grant the Circassian people dual citizenship, both that of Russia and of their respective countries. And finally it called upon the Russian Federation to ensure the Circassian people of the possibility to return to their historical land."