Press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia

On March 5, 2020, President of the Republic of South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov signed the Decree establishing the Day of remembrance for the victims of Ossetian Genocide on June 20, the day when Georgian murderers execute 13 Ossetian Kommunars.

To honour the memory of the victims of the genocide, commemoration events will be held on June 20 in the Republic of South Ossetia and in South Ossetia’s foreign agencies; the national flag will fly half-staff, church bells will ring in memory of the innocents murdered, and a minute of silence will be held.

The tragic events from 100 years ago will always remain an unhealed wound in the hearts of the Ossetian people. Such crimes are not subject to any statute of limitations. Achieving recognition and condemnation of the Ossetian Genocide by the international community and first of all by Georgia itself is a national idea of utmost importance and a guarantee that the genocide will not happen again.

In view of the 100th anniversary of the Ossetian Genocide, the Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Republic of South Ossetia appealed to the governments of foreign countries and international organizations, urging them to recognize and condemn the Ossetian Genocide as a grave crime against humanity. South Ossetia calls upon the international community to undertake more decisive steps in order to increase responsibility of the states in protecting nations from genocide, in the fight against impunity and in preventing such crimes. Recognizing the Ossetian genocide is a matter of historical justice and requires a demonstration of political will.

Tskhinval, June 11, 2020

11.06.2020