One of the largest non-governmental organizations of the Circassian diaspora in Turkey, Kayseri Kafkas Derneği, announced its withdrawal from the Federation of Caucasian Associations KAFFED. According to a statement published on the organization’s website, this decision is due to the affiliation of KAFFED management with the Russian authorities.
A representative of Kayseri Hase told the Kavkaz.Realii correspondent that since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, their demand to remain an anti-war association without the support of any party was defined by the KAFFED administration as “hostility towards Russia.”
“To be a privileged group in the leadership of KAFFED is to serve Russian interests by trying to pacify the Circassians living in Turkey who demand respect for their basic rights in culture and identity. Those who think differently are labeled as hostile towards the homeland and Russia,” the statement said.
It also noted that the Federation of Caucasian Associations did not respond to changes in the education system in Russia in 2018 when national languages became optional for study. In addition, KAFFED was accused of ignoring statements by Russian security forces, where activists defending their native languages were called extremists.
Circassian activist and public figure Martin Kochesoko, in a conversation with the editors of Kavkaz.Realii noted that the main problem of discord is KAFFED’s dependence on the International Circassian Association (ICA).
“It’s not about Kayseri Khase or KAFFED, but about the International Circassian Association (ICA), of which they are a part. The ICA was initially formed as an independent structure striving to meet the interests of the Circassian people and the diaspora. However, in 2000, the leadership positions here, bypassing the law, were seized by the special services and representatives of the power structures of the Russian Federation. Since then, the head office of the ICA is located in Nalchik and is one of the branches of government that works to control and influence the Circassian diaspora abroad,” says Kochesoko.
According to the Echo of the Caucasus website, in 2000 Zaurbi Nakhushev, trusted by the head of Kabardino-Balkaria Valery Kokov, became the head of the ICA. According to Circassian activists, from that moment on, the association began to lose its independence. For example, the headquarters of the organization, which regularly changed location, is now permanently located in Nalchik and is headed by people associated with the authorities.
The Federation of Caucasian Associations KAFFED declined to comment by telephone. The editors of Kavkaz.Realii sent a written request.
- The Kayseri Hase organization was founded in 1968. Its tasks include preserving identity, culture and native language, and fighting for the rights of the Circassian community at home and in the diaspora. Before the organization’s exit, KAFFED members included 56 associations organized in 32 provinces of Turkey – Kayseri Hase has been a member since its founding in 2003.
- The first international conference dedicated to the independence of Circassia was held in Istanbul on August 5. The organizers asked world leaders to recognize the independence of the region and the genocide of the Circassian people by the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Some experts have doubts about the prospects for success in this matter.
- Representatives of Circassian national public associations received responses to appeals to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request to simplify the procedure for granting citizenship to Circassians who suffered during the earthquake in Turkey in early 2023. According to current legislation, they are compatriots of Russians, since their ancestors lived in the Western Caucasus before being deported by the Russian Empire in the 19th century. However, the Russian Foreign Ministry and other departments pointed out the impossibility of issuing passports to Circassians, and the repatriation programme that has been in place for more than 20 years remains only on paper.
- Earlier, Alexander Kvakhadze, a researcher at the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, told the Kavkaz.Realii website about North Caucasian communities in Turkey, the process of integration into Turkish society and the problems of preserving their traditions, language and self-identity.
