The CHP-affiliated Çankaya Municipality initiated the eviction process against the Circassian Association of Ankara's Yaşamkent Social Facilities, which had been used by the Association since 2015. Reacting to the eviction decision, AÇD stated that this decision is incompatible with Çankaya Municipality's understanding of social municipalism and is preparing to go to the judiciary for the annulment of the eviction decision.
Ankara Circassian Association asked Çankaya Municipality to extend the allocation period of Yaşamkent Social Facilities, which it built with its own means on the land allocated by Yenimahalle Municipality in 2013, citing the years when it was not actively used due to the pandemic.
Special instructions did not solve the problem either
In order to resolve the facility crisis between the Ankara Circassian Association and Çankaya Municipality, a delegation of executives from the Federation of Caucasian Associations (KAFFED) and Ankara Circassian Association visited CHP Chairman Özgür Özel last month and asked for help in resolving the problem.
Özgür Özel had also told the representatives of the Circassian community that they would help solve the problem.
The association management states that although the municipality officials they met with responded “There is no problem, the extension will be made”, the allocation period of the facility was not extended and an eviction order was issued.
Municipality accuses Ankara Circassian Association
Çankaya Municipality, which issued an evacuation order for the facility, blamed the Ankara Circassian Association in a statement.
The statement claimed that the last meeting, which was also attended by the Mayor Hüseyin Can Güner, was dispersed due to the speeches of the association management that reached the point of threatening the Mayor and bureaucrats and it was understood that no progress could be made, “It has been conclusively understood that the issue is not the activity of the association, but the effort of a group within the association to carry out commercial activities. As of this date, the procedures that must be carried out compulsorily are being carried out by the District Governorship.”.
In the statement, it was stated that Çankaya Municipality does not have a special and negative attitude towards any segment of society, and that all business and transactions are carried out within the limits set by the law. Contrary to what is claimed, it is not planned to allocate the area in question to any other association or non-governmental organization, and that the facility will be used to serve everyone in line with the common needs of the people of Yaşamkent.
Ankara Circassian Association responds to Çankaya Municipality
Ankara Circassian Association responded to these allegations of Çankaya Municipality with a written statement.
“In a statement titled ”Çankaya Municipality forcibly seizes the facility built by Circassians with their own means", it was stated that Çankaya Municipality initiated a process to evacuate the facility in response to the request to extend the 10-year lease period of the Circassian Association Yaşamkent Social Facilities, which is located within the borders of Çankaya Municipality and built with the financial support of Circassians all over Turkey.
The statement also included the following statements:
“It is unacceptable that Çankaya Municipality forcibly seized the facility built with its own means by the Circassian Association, one of Turkey's oldest non-governmental organizations, which has been pioneering language, identity and culture studies since 1961. Although it was stated that the problem would be solved in a fair manner in all the negotiations made for the extension of the lease period from the construction phase of the facility, the Çankaya Municipality initiated the eviction process by police force, which caused a great reaction from all Circassians in Turkey. Nearly 60 associations affiliated to the Federation of Caucasian Associations and dozens of non-governmental organizations have also signed a statement to stand by the Ankara Circassian Association.’
Press release to be issued
In the statement made by the association, “We invite you to the press statement to be held at the Circassian Association Yaşamkent Social Facilities on Monday, December 2 at 10.00 a.m. in order to end this unprecedented practice that contradicts the social municipalism understanding of Çankaya Municipality, does not respect cultural labor and identity, and to stop the planned eviction process.’ The call was also made.
On the other hand, it is learned that Ankara Circassian Association will apply to the judiciary for a stay of eviction.
On the other hand, the Circassian community, #cCommonwealth Protection has also launched a campaign on social media with the hashtag.