Abkhaz Diaspora in Türkiye Launches Campaign Calling on Ankara to Review Its Policy on Abkhazia
ISTANBUL — Representatives of the Abkhaz diaspora in Türkiye announced on 29 June the launch of a public campaign calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye to reconsider Ankara’s policy towards Abkhazia.
As part of the campaign, organisers are urging Turkish citizens to submit appeals through CİMER, the Presidency’s Communication Centre, calling for the recognition of the Republic of Abkhazia. Pending formal recognition, they are also asking Türkiye to recognise Abkhaz passports as valid identity documents permitting holders to cross the Turkish border, and to establish direct sea and air links between Türkiye and Abkhazia.
According to the organisers, the campaign seeks to draw attention to the humanitarian consequences of Abkhazia’s isolation, which they say restricts the rights of the republic’s residents to freedom of movement, education, healthcare, and the maintenance of family ties.
They emphasise that the campaign is open not only to members of the Caucasian communities living in Türkiye, but to all citizens who support the protection of human rights.
On 4 July, the initiative received public backing from Türkiye’s Labour Party, Emek Partisi, which published a statement on its official platforms calling for an end to Abkhazia’s isolation and supporting the demands set out in the appeal.
Below, AbkhazWorld publishes the text of the appeal that the campaign organisers are inviting supporters to sign and submit to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye
To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye
Ankara
Subject: Recognition of the Republic of Abkhazia; pending completion of this process, recognition of Abkhaz passports as valid travel documents and the establishment of direct sea and air links.
Explanation
Abkhazia, our maritime neighbour, remains subject to severe isolation, affecting the civilian population’s rights to life, health, education, freedom of movement, and family unity. The wall erected between us violates the following fundamental rights:
1. Family unity
Isolation undermines the principle of protecting family life by preventing the preservation of centuries-old traditions and the reunification of divided families at important occasions such as funerals and weddings.
2. The right to health and life
Transport barriers restrict access to emergency medical care and modern hospitals. The inability to transport seriously ill patients in a timely manner turns this situation into a violation of the right to life.
3. The right to education
Isolation deprives young people of access to educational opportunities, limits their participation in international educational programmes, and threatens the future of an entire generation.
4. The right to freedom of movement
The non-recognition of Abkhaz passports for political reasons effectively deprives people of the right to freedom of movement, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Türkiye’s active foreign policy can create a precedent for Abkhazia.
The Kosovo precedent
Despite existing objections, Türkiye recognised Kosovo’s right to self-determination. Our strong historical ties provide grounds for recognising Abkhazia, which has established a democratic state on its territory.
The Taiwan precedent
Despite the “One China” policy, relations with Taiwan are maintained through de facto representative offices. Air links operate on the basis of technical arrangements and commercial contracts between Türkiye’s General Directorate of Civil Aviation and Taiwan’s aviation authorities, without the conclusion of formal inter-state agreements.
The precedent of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
The strict restrictions imposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization in relation to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are overcome through Türkiye’s own formula for organising air links. A similar mechanism could also be applied to Abkhazia.
In addition, the fact that the United Kingdom has in the past accepted TRNC passports shows, according to the appeal, that travel documents may be recognised as valid even in the absence of formal recognition of a state.
Conclusion
In light of the above, I request that:
The Republic of Abkhazia, our maritime neighbour, with which Türkiye has historical and family ties, be officially recognised.
Pending completion of the recognition process, Abkhaz passports be accepted as valid identity documents permitting holders to cross the Turkish border.
Without waiting for formal recognition, direct sea and air links with Abkhazia be opened without delay through technical agreements with Türkiye’s General Directorate of Civil Aviation and other civilian mechanisms, following the practice applied in relation to Taiwan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.