Open Letter from the World Congress of Tatars
to Governor of Omsk Region V.I. Nazarov

Dear Victor Ivanovich!

Tatar are agitated by public information about the intention of the Omsk region leadership to establish a monument to ataman Ermak. It is utter natural that such a decision has caused outrage among the Siberian Tatars. We know from history, the terrible atrocities committed Ermark against indigenous Siberian peoples. Not accidentally, in the past centuries, no one came into his head erect monuments to odious, contradictory personalities. Obviously, this was due to a desire to maintain peace and harmony among different peoples of our multinational country. Therefore, we do not understand a decision on the installation of the monument – who would not take it, obviously causing interethnic tension in the society.

In our opinion, the monuments or other historical figures should unite people, not to oppose them to each other. Sure, in the history of Russia a lot of great personalities associated with the Omsk region. Installation of monuments to such great men of the Omsk region will undoubtedly serve the unity of its people and contribute to the high authority of your region.

Dear Victor Ivanovich! We believe in the sphere of international relations, important decisions can not be a reference to the opinion of the majority or any authority. It is important to the moral well-being of all population groups. Therefore we can not prevent infringement of national dignity of Siberian Tatars. We believe in your wisdom and authority of the head of one of the key regions of Siberia, and therefore call to refrain from the monument to Ataman Ermak.

Letter adoped at a meeting of the Bureau
Executive Committee of the World Congress of Tatars
July 27, 2016