The status of Ahiska Turks in the context of international minority rights (Example of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan)

The settlement of the Armenian population in the South Caucasus region after the occupation of the strategically important Ahıska and its surroundings by the Russian Tsarist caused various problems for the Ahıska Turks, which started at that time and continued until today. The Russians, who thoroughly dominated the region, exiled The Ahıska Turks from their homeland to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan on November 14, 1944 during the Soviet period, causing these people to become a minority. Although the Ahıska People, struggle to regain their rights, which they started in 1956, did not end as they desired, the situation of Ahıska People, who continue their lives in about 10 different countries today, has taken on an international dimension. As it is known, the concepts of minority, immigration and exile have been on the agenda of international politics and international law in recent years. Ahıska Turks, who live in minority status today, have experienced numerous discriminations both before and after the Soviet Era and have not been able to benefit from the most basic human rights. In this study, the current position of the exiled Ahıska Turks within the framework of international minority rights in these countries was evaluated through the examples of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan where they live today. When the Ahıska Turks are evaluated in the light of issues such as education, demographic structure/population, religion/belief status, economy, social life and politics related to their social life in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan, where they live as minorities today, it has been understood that they have the majority of the rights that the citizens of this country have. Despite the fact that the exile of the Ahıska Turks 76 years ago has taken on an international dimension and they have obtained some rights as a minority, their economic, social, cultural and educational problems in these countries continue.