Diaspora and the Historical Motherland, E. Ozgur

CONFERENCE

Abkhazia in the Context of Contemporary International Relations
Pitsunda, The Republic of Abkhazia: June 29 - July 1, 2004

Diaspora and the Historical Motherland

Liy-pha Ergün Özgür
(Turkey)

As member of the Abkhazian Diaspora I will touch upon 5 topics.

1. The mass deportation of Circassians and Abkhazians and the reaction of the world community:

The Circassian and Abkhazians after the mass deportation in 19th Century (21 May 1864 was the last day) resettled in separate regions of the Ottoman land such as:

the Black sea, Central Anatolia, Aegean, Marmara and Mediteranian regions as well as several cities. A second deportation followed by the split of the Ottoman Empire, was from the Balkans to Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria after the 1877-1878 Russian-Ottoman War.

Black-sea region ( Sinop, Samsun, Trabzon …)
Central Anatolia (Sivas and Kayseri (the region called Uzunyayla) Ankara, Corum, Eskisehir, Inegöl, Konya, Tokat, Yozgat …)
Marmara Region (Bandırma, Balikesir, Bursa, Adapazarı(Sakarya) Düzce, İzmit, Tekirdag … )
The Mediterranean Region (Antalya, Adana, Mersin …)
Aegean Region (Manisa, İzmir)

They were deported from their homeland and yet they do not have any rights to return back from the international persepective.

The world community pays no attention to these refugees while it is deeply interested in the fate of Georgian refugees who left Abkhazia after the Georgian-Abkhazian War of 1992-1993. This is a very important example of international double standards. If there is a mass return to the motherland who should be given the priority?

2. The adaptation processes in their new countries

The Ottoman Empire’s (and later Turkey’s) assimilatory policy denied the Circassians and Abkhazians the refugee status. Instead they were accepted as ordinary Turkish citizens. They adjusted to their new land and contributed to the foundation of the new Turkish Republic but refrained from keeping their original family names and could not teach their native language from the time of the foundation of the Turkish Republic until 2002. With the adaptation of Turkish laws to the European Union laws they were given this opportunity.

There is no place on the Turkish identity cards or passports which shows the origin of the people other than the identity which is Turkish for all Turkish citizens.

The number of Circassians and Abkhazians are not known because they were not considered during the census. However there are some estimations according to which 5 to 7 million Circassians and among them 600.000 to 1.000.000 Abkhazians live in Turkey.

3. The preservation of their original culture and language and attitude towards their homeland:

The Circassian and Abkhazian Diaspora preserved their culture and language because they still have links with the villages. But the culture and the language are in facing the danger of disappearing due to several reasons like assimilation, urbanization, political instability, new job opportunities in cities and mixed marriages etc.

The organizations dealing with culture in cities were closed for a long period of time during military interventions. As a result the cultural rights were deeply affected. On 10^th of July 2004 a TV program started in Kabardian language and the program on the Abkhaz language was announced.

The globalization also affected migrations from Diaspora to other countries as Germany, Nederlands, England, Denmark, USA etc. Diasporas in these countries are in a position to teach their children about the country they came from and their original homeland their descendents came from.

In Diaspora, especially young generation’s views towards Abkhazia are very positive. They want to see their homeland, visit relatives, study and live in Abkhazia. Also a lot of members of the Abkhazian Diaspora in Turkey want to visit Abkhazia, but they do not want to have a Georgian visa.

Meanwhile because of the embargo especially used against Diaspora, it is very difficult for them to come to Abkhazia. This is an example of violation of the 13^th article of the Universal Human Rights Declaration.

4. The work of Circassian and Abkhazian organizations and ties with the Motherland:

There are almost 70 organizations (Abkhazian and Circassian) in Turkey. The Federation of the Caucasus Associations was founded in July 2003 and composed of 42 member associations. There is another federation which is the United Caucasus Federation. There are also some separate foundations, clubs and platforms.

The Abkhaz Solidarity Committee which works as the authorized organization of the Abkhazian government in Turkey was founded just after the beginning of the Georgian-Abkhazian war in August 1992, upon the demand of all Caucasian and Abkhazian Associations. It deals with lobbying issues, connections with the Turkish government and coordination among the associations. The Committee is still dealing with the problems of Abkhazia, such as embargo, un-recognition, instability etc.

Diaspora and organizations are concerned with the latest developments in Abkhazia. During critical periods they organize meetings, press conferences, signature campaigns; publish declarations in newspapers.

I want to give just two examples:

a) During Shevardnadze’s visit to Turkey in April 2002 when there was another threat to stability in Abkhazia, a statement was made by the Abkhaz Solidarity Committee signed by 70 Abkhazian and Circassian associations all over the world and 6675 people said that “as natural citizens of Abkhazia, Diaspora would serve for their motherland in case of a probable war and for this purpose they would initiate a mobilization in every county where the Abkhazian and Circassian Diaspora lives”

And,

b) During Georgian President Saakasvili’s visit to Turkey on 20th of May 2004, the Abkhazian Solidarity Committee, the Federation of Caucasus Associations and organizations prepared a declaration titled: “we are under the service of Abkhazia” and published it in two leading newspapers. Press conferences and private faxes to appropriate government offices, embassies, UN, OSCE were sent.

As a result the Turkish authorities suggested that Saakasvili “ does not start a new war in Abkhazia and try to preserve peace”.

5. How Diaspora sees the Motherland

Abkhazia is a sovereign country with all the necessary attributes of a state; the only thing missing is the recognition. As a member of Diaspora I want to see my motherland as an independent and democratic republic having good relationships with all neighbors including Russia and Georgia.

Democracy in Turkey is improving and the Abkhazian and Circassian Associations are more organized under Federations.

The fate of our future generations in terms of culture and language and our country depends on the close relationship of the Diaspora and the motherland. Diaspora associations have contacts with the World Association of the Abkhaz-Abazin Congress, The World Circassian Unity and also governments. From now on the relationship between the Diaspora and the motherland should be improved in terms of improving contacts with the civil society : NGOs, political parties, institutions etc.

In my opinion a long term program and budget should be prepared for the repatriation process. As for the young generations in order to help their adjustment in the motherland, summer camps would be helpful. Besides them there are many volunteers who wish to spend their vacations in Abkhazia during the summer periods, one or two months long language courses would be preferable.

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