Circassians in Turkey are alarmed by Russia's pressure on Diaspora

Amid the deepening of Turkish-Russian cooperation, the Circassian Diaspora faces restrictions in their rights. Before the second round of the presidential election, the opposition has called to recognize the Circassians' genocide, but among Circassians, there is no political unity even on such issues such as Russia's military actions in Ukraine, members of the Diaspora have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in 2022, on the eve of the 158th anniversary of the end of the Caucasian War, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) called the mass expulsion of Circassians from the Caucasus a tragedy. This year, Turkish authorities have withdrawn the permit to hold a rally on the anniversary of the Russian-Caucasian War scheduled for May 21. An informal reason was the pressure exerted on the Turkish authorities by the Russian MFA, said Yilmaz Donmez, Secretary General of the "Cherkesfed" Federation of Circassian Organizations of Turkey.

Despite the fact that Turkish authorities have withdrawn the permit for a rally in Istanbul, the Circassian Diaspora is not ready to call for voting for the opposition (at the second round of the presidential election), since there are many people with different political views among the Circassians, Mr Donmez has added. He also explained that since the start of the special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine, the Diaspora has intensified the work on the international recognition of Circassians' genocide.

In connection with the start of a SMO in Ukraine, an "Aid Committee" was set up in the Diaspora, the aim being to help those fleeing from mobilization, Murat Ozden, the head of the Circassian public organization of the Istanbul District of Maltepe, has added.

According to his story, the SMO has split the Diaspora. However, even those Circassians living in Turkey who do not share Russia's goals prefer to remain silent, as relatives live in their homeland, Mr Ozden has explained, suggesting that as Russian-Turkish relations strengthen, the situation with Circassians' rights in Turkey is worsening.