CRSV: The Circassian Genocide
This case note documents the occurrence of sexual violence in violent conflict. It contains explicit mentions of different forms of sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
Background of the conflict
The Circassian Genocide was the systematic mass murder, ethnic erasure, and expulsion of the Circassian population, resulting in 1 to 1.5 million deaths.it took place during the final stages of the Russo-Circassian War (Richmond, 2013). The Muslim Circassians were mainly targeted, although other Circassians were also affected (Yemelianova, 2014). They were displaced to the Muslim Ottoman Empire. The Circassian Genocide was the deadliest campaign of ethnic erasure of the 19th century (Grassi, 2018). As of 2023, Georgia is the only country to recognize the genocide. Russia actively denies it and classifies it as migration (Bodio & Sieradzan, 2012).
Prevalence of sexual violence
Rape and sexual violence were significant tools in perpetuating the campaigns of genocide and ethnic erasure. Women and girls were targeted during the 1877 Russo-Turkish war, from among the Circassian refugees who were settled in the Ottoman Balkans (Richmond, 2013). Reports also show that Circassian girls were sold into Turkish harems (Tlostanova, 2010). Further, Circassians in the Ottoman are raped and murdered Bulgarians during 1877 Russo-Turkish war (Reid, 2000).
Basis of the use of sexual violence
Sexual violence and rape were very much a part of a deliberate campaign of genocide and ethnic erasure. It was also carried out to deliberately displace large sections of the population, as part of the campaign of ethnic erasure. Sexual and gender-based violence were also used to intimidate and humiliate the Circassian population, and as a form of torture and degrading treatment. The systematic campaign of genocide and ethnic erasure was also accompanied by opportunistic sexual violence as a result of the state of impunity.
References
Bodio, Tadeusz; Sieradzan, Przemysław J. (15 December 2012). "Źródła nacjonalizmu czerkieskiego i jego konsekwencje polityczne" [Sources of Circassian nationalism and its political consequences]. Środkowoeuropejskie Studia Polityczne (in Polish) (4): 47–74.
Reid, James J. (2000). Crisis of the Ottoman Empire: Prelude to Collapse 1839-1878. Quellen und Studien zur Geschichte des östlichen Europa. Vol. 57. Franz Steiner Verlag.
Richmond, Walter (2013). The Circassian Genocide. Genocide, Political Violence, Human Rights. Rutgers University Press.
Tlostanova, Madina (2010). Gender Epistemologies and Eurasian Borderlands. Comparative Feminist Studies (illustrated ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
Yemelianova, Galina (April 2014). "Islam, nationalism and state in the Muslim Caucasus". Caucasus Survey. 1 (2): 3.
