Russia faces criticism over ethnic discrimination at state-backed conference in Azerbaijan

Russia faced criticism over allegations of ethnic discrimination at a state-backed conference in Azerbaijan focused on “Cultural and Ethnic Diversity: Lessons of History, Contemporary Challenges.” Held in Shusha at the Karabakh Hotel on 6 July, the event included calls for Russia to recognize the Circassian genocide and other historical crimes, end the forced deployment of ethnic minorities to the front in Ukraine, and stop what speakers described as systemic discrimination and xenophobia. Organised by the Centre for Cultural and Ethnic Diversity and the Silk Road Cultural and Historical Research associations, it brought together civil society representatives and experts from 10 countries. Turkish researcher and journalist Nalan Yazgan Eris moderated. Among the speakers, Seyfeddin Huseynli described a 27 June 2025 raid in Yekaterinburg that followed torture, leaving two brothers dead and other relatives facing lengthy prison sentences.