Ankara Circassian Association Faces Forced Eviction by Çankaya Municipality
Members gather to discuss the eviction crisis and next steps
Ankara Circassian Association (Ankara Çerkes Derneği) is facing forced eviction by Çankaya Municipality, despite the Yaşamkent Social Facility being built with the financial contributions of Circassians across Türkiye. The municipality initiated legal proceedings to vacate the facility, rejecting a request to extend the 10-year lease agreement. In response, the association held a large meeting with widespread participation on 1 December to inform members and discuss the situation.
Founded in 1961, the Çerkes Association has been at the forefront of efforts to preserve Circassian language, identity, and culture. The association condemns the forced eviction of the facility, which was constructed through the community’s collective efforts, as unacceptable. Negotiations to resolve the matter fairly were ongoing, yet Çankaya Municipality proceeded with eviction orders involving law enforcement. This decision has sparked widespread backlash from Circassians across Türkiye, alongside solidarity statements from nearly 60 organisations affiliated with the Federation of Caucasian Associations.
Call for Solidarity: Press Statement to Be Held on 2 December
The association is calling on all supporters to attend a press statement scheduled for 2 December at 9:00 am at the Yaşamkent Social Facility to oppose this unprecedented action. A petition campaign has also been launched to prevent the planned eviction.
The eviction order, delivered on 29 November, just one business day before the planned enforcement on 2 December, raises serious concerns over procedural fairness. Inaugurated in 2015 with the support of the then-mayor of Çankaya, the facility has served as a vital symbol of cultural preservation and community solidarity. Critics argue that the decision contradicts the core principles of social democracy championed by the Republican People's Party (CHP), under whose governance Çankaya Municipality operates.
The Yaşamkent Social Facility is not merely a building but a hub for fostering cultural exchange and strengthening social bonds. Its closure would not only erode cultural heritage but also deepen perceptions of governance that disregards public will. The association has urged the municipality to reconsider the eviction, extend the lease, and uphold the values of social justice and inclusivity.
Petition Campaign Launched
In addition to the press statement, Circassians have launched a signature campaign to stop the eviction. The petition, accessible online, calls on Çankaya Municipality to reverse its decision and uphold the principles of social democracy.
The full petition can be accessed here: Petition Link.