TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE
HIS EXCELLENCY RECEP TAYYİP ERDOĞAN
OPEN APPEAL
From representatives of organizations of the peoples of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Idel-Ural, Siberia, the United States, Türkiye, Ukraine and Belarus, and of the national movements of peoples under the rule of the Russian Federation
TURKIC BROTHERHOOD MUST NOT BECOME A REFUGE FOR IMPERIAL AGGRESSION
Mr. President,
We address you on behalf of the signatories to this appeal: representatives of organizations of the long-suffering peoples of the Caucasus and of the national movements of peoples struggling for freedom, the preservation of their identities, and the right to determine their own future.
With respect for Türkiye and in the hope that it will fulfil its historical responsibility, we express our unequivocal rejection of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s proposal to involve Russia in the “OTS+” format or grant it observer status in the Organization of Turkic States.
Neither membership, observer status, nor any other arrangement should open the doors of the Turkic world’s common organization to the Kremlin.
For our peoples, Russian imperial policy is a tragedy we have experienced firsthand: conquest, forced displacement, deportation, the suppression of national movements, devastated cities, and families who will never see their loved ones again.
We remember the tragedies in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova in the early 1990s, Russia’s military interventions, and its use of conflicts to preserve its influence over independent states. We remember the two devastating wars in Ichkeria: the bombardment of towns and villages, mass civilian deaths, the killing of children, torture, and enforced disappearances.
Today, Ukraine is paying a terrible price for its right to exist as an independent state. Once again, Russia’s leadership is attempting to seize the territory of others by force of arms and subjugate a people who refuse to live under Moscow’s orders.
Inviting such a leadership into the Turkic world’s common organization would enable it to use our brotherhood as a shield while continuing to trample on the freedom of other peoples.
Mr. President,
The fact that Turkic peoples live within the borders of the Russian Federation does not give the Kremlin the right to represent their historical interests. A state border does not turn subjugation into voluntary unity or imperial domination into brotherhood.
If the Turkic world wishes to hear the Tatars, Bashkirs, Karachays, Balkars, Kumyks, Nogais, Crimean Tatars, Sakha and other peoples, it must listen to their own voices. Moscow has no right to speak on their behalf.
It is unacceptable to invoke kinship with Turkic peoples while simultaneously restricting the space for their languages, national memory, and independent political life. It is unacceptable to proclaim oneself a friend of the Turkic world while persecuting those who defend the dignity of its peoples.
The Turkic world belongs to its peoples. Neither Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Ilham Aliyev, nor any other leader has the sole authority to speak on behalf of all Turkic peoples or decide their historical future.
We regard attempts to bring the institutions of the Turkic world closer to the Kremlin as a policy serving the interests of Russia’s leadership. This policy does not reflect our will. No public office confers the right to bargain away the memory of victims and solidarity with oppressed peoples in exchange for Moscow’s favour.
No one has authorized these leaders to offer brotherhood, in our name, to a leadership that deprives our peoples of freedom.
We do not want our peoples to be made complicit in the political responsibility of a state waging a war of aggression. We do not want the name of the Turkic world to be used to justify aggression. We refuse to become allies of the imperial policy of which our own peoples have been, and continue to be, victims.
Our objection is directed at the policies of the Russian state and the actions of its leadership. Human dignity is not determined by a person’s origin. Those in power, however, bear responsibility for their actions, and no diplomatic ceremony can wash the blood from the hands of perpetrators.
Mr. President,
We call upon you to take a clear and publicly declared position:
— Reject the proposal for the Russian Federation’s participation in the Organization of Turkic States, including through the “OTS+” format, observer status, or any similar mechanism;
— Prevent the organizations of the Turkic world from being used to politically legitimize Russian aggression and expand the Kremlin’s influence;
— Support direct dialogue with independent representatives of the peoples of the Caucasus and of the Turkic peoples under the rule of the Russian Federation;
— Consistently defend the sovereignty of states, the inviolability of their internationally recognized borders, and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Türkiye has the standing to safeguard the moral foundations of Turkic unity. We expect that standing to serve the freedom of peoples and prevent their shared region from becoming a platform for imperial revanchism.
A leadership that denies others the right to statehood, covets their territories, and suppresses their aspirations for independence cannot claim brotherhood with them.
Neither economic interests, political bargaining, nor references to historical ties can justify such an alliance.
Under no circumstances must Turkic brotherhood become a cover for imperial barbarism.
The memory of our fallen is not for sale.
The freedom of our peoples is not negotiable.
The future of the Turkic world must not be decided in the Kremlin.
Representatives of the organizations and national movements signing this appeal:
Respectfully,
* Rafis Kashapov — Prime Minister of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile, participant in the Free Nations of Post-Russia Forum, and co-founder of the Free Idel-Ural movement
* Isa Sadikov — Vice-President of the Assembly of the Peoples of the Caucasus, member of the Presidium of the Congress of Indigenous Peoples of Eurasia, and Honorary Consul of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile in Azerbaijan
* Yerzhan Turgumbay — Founder of “Erkin Kazak,” President of the Congress of Indigenous Peoples of Eurasia
* Vil Mirzayanov — Honorary Adviser to the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile
* Gurban Mamedli Jalal oglu — AzerFreedom TV, United Kingdom
* Abdullah Türer Yener — Politician, World Union of Turks Forum, Istanbul
* Aman Sagidullayev — Representative of the Government of Karakalpakstan in Exile, Norway
* Nurlan Saltayev — Kazakh political commentator, representative of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile in the Republic of Kazakhstan
* Turarbek Kusainov — Head of the “Demos” non-governmental organization
* Farit Zakiyev — Chairman of the All-Tatar Public Centre, France
* Bulat Sayfutdinov — PhD in Chemistry, member of the World Council of Tatars
* Volodymyr Bilotserkivskyi (Rostovskyi) — Association of Ukrainian Nationalists
* Nafis Kashapov — Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile
* “Kaiser” — All-Ukrainian Union of Great-State Nationalists
* Marat Akhmerov — Deputy Prime Minister for Legal and Legislative Affairs
* Edige Bekmurzayev — Chairman of the “Free Nogai El” non-governmental organization
* Rakhima Akhmerova — Head of the “Altyn Ay” Tatar Cultural Centre in Zaporizhzhia
* Zufar Zaynullin — Ambassador of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile to the Republic of Latvia
* Husein Ishanov — Member of the Parliament of Ichkeria
* Vyacheslav Sivchik — Honorary Consul of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile in Belarus
* Rais Sabirzyanov — Activist of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
* Matviy Bondar — Civil society activist, Ukraine
* Dmitry Kuznetsov — Representative of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile in Finland
* Dmytro Vlasov — “Seversky Krai” movement
* Kamil Sukayev — Ambassador of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile to the United States / representative of the Free Idel-Ural movement
* Zurtan Khaltarov — Buryat Republican Centre, Warsaw
* Nurmukhamet Yunusov — Representative responsible for relations with the peoples of the Lower Volga
* Nikolay Patrushev — Representative of the “Siberian Republic” movement
* Baatr Pyurbeyev — Representative responsible for relations with Mongolic peoples
* Zilya Usmanova — Representative responsible for relations with Tatars in the Urals
* Alina Koltsova — Activist of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile, Sweden
* Raushan Gizatullin — Representative of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile in Bavaria
* Roza Kurban — Tatar researcher, writer and translator
* Guzaliya Daudova — Tatar civil society activist
* Tatyana Zhuridova — Writer, author of The Occupation of Crimea. 2014
* Rinat Shafigullin — Civil society representative, Kyrgyzstan
* Nurmukhamet Biktashev — Civil society representative active in Georgia
* Hryhoriy Bondarchuk — Ukrinform correspondent
* Andrey Sidelnikov — Leader of the “Speak Up!” movement
* Piotr Hlebowicz — Co-chair of Fighting Solidarity, Poland
* Oles Shevchenko — Chairman of the Kyiv Association of Political Prisoners, Ukraine
* Hasanboy Burhanov — Leader of the “Erkin O’zbekiston” movement, Germany
* Laysan Akhunova — Activist of the People’s National Movement (NND), Bulgaria
* Yuriy Fedorenkov — Civil society representative, London
* Ilshat Kinzyabayev — Bashkir activist
* Enver Sherfiyev — Civil society activist, Vinnytsia
* Farit Mardanov — Civil society representative, Kazakhstan
* Nikolay Lobachevsky — Civil society representative, New York
* Aleksandr Bursanidis — Tour guide and writer, Greece
* Natalya Sazonova — Designer, Rome
* Farit Abdrakhimov — Civil society activist, Helsinki
* Dmitry Kalashnikov — Civil society representative, Oslo
* Anatoliy Dubovik — Historian, Dnipro
* Khizir Magomedov — Civil society activist, Rome
* Petimat Tepsayeva — Physician, Bern
* Sergey Ivanov — Civil society activist, Sofia
* Vitaliy Ginzburg — Writer, blogger, participant in FSR and FSGPR
* Nikita Mazunin — Nationalist activist
* Rostislav Pobedin — Russian opposition journalist and politician
* Mykyta Bozhenko — “Khoruhva” history club
* Nazar Karimov — Member of the “Kholodnyi Yar” and “Khoruhva” clubs
* Irek Garif — “Turan” Tatar Association of Australia, Adelaide
* Sergey Kryukov — Writer, France
* Vladimir Kostenko — Civil society representative, Washington
* Musa Temishev — Journalist and writer
* Gennadiy Shkirya-Banashinsky — Human rights defender, Germany
* Tagir Minibayev — Civil society representative, Germany
* Edige Bekmurzayev — “Free Nogai-El,” Türkiye
* Aaly Tokombayev — Artist, Bishkek
* Khasukha Magamadov — Political exile, Saint-Lô, France
* Tatyana Nyberg — “Magnitsky Act Initiative,” Rome
* Nariman Julumbetov — Civil society representative, Astana
* János Borkai — Lawyer, Budapest
* Rimma Baranenko — Kherson
* Nailya Vakhitova — Tour guide, Istanbul
* Vadim Titov — Musician, New York
* Nedim Khalilov — Civil society representative, Toronto
* Boris Zvyagintsev — Artist, Tokyo
* Bashorat Eshova — Human rights defender