CYDD Headquarters puts an end to the debate: Distance from Istanbul on the Stuttgart controversy

IŞIN ERTÜRK – STUTTGART

The headquarters of the Association for Supporting Contemporary Living (CYDD) in Turkey has issued its first statement regarding the CYDD Baden-Württemberg crisis, which has been a subject of debate in Germany for months. The statement, sent under the signature of President Prof. Dr. Ayşe Yüksel, is being evaluated as a declaration of careful distancing.

The text clearly emphasizes that the association operating in the state of Baden-Württemberg is an independent entity, separate from the legal personality of the CYDD and established according to the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, while specifically stating that the headquarters in Turkey has no authority to investigate, audit, or impose sanctions on this structure.

These expressions are considered the first official statement indicating that the CYDD management in Turkey does not wish to be a party to the Stuttgart-based crisis that has been debated in the public eye for months, and that it is distancing itself in terms of legal responsibility.

However, the language used in the text also contains a remarkable balance. While the statement notes that there is no organic or hierarchical link with the association in Germany, it also includes the expression that the association's managers work toward similar goals as the CYDD.

For this reason, the statement is interpreted as a "distancing declaration" where both legal boundaries are drawn and the commonality of name and purpose is not entirely rejected.

The statement sent from the CYDD Headquarters is as follows:

"Dear Işın ERTÜRK,

After reading your article dated April 5, 2026, on 12punto.com, we felt the need to share the following information with you in order to ensure the public is correctly informed.

Our association was founded in 1989 with its headquarters in Istanbul, and we currently have 117 branches and 6 representative offices, all located within the country. Our association has no branches or representative offices abroad with which it maintains an organic or hierarchical relationship. The association in Baden-Württemberg mentioned in your article is an association established according to the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, separate and independent from the legal entity of CYDD. Although the founders and managers of that association work toward similar goals as our association, we have no authority to investigate, audit, or impose sanctions on that association.

We trust that you will share this statement in your column in line with your understanding of responsible journalism.

Sincerely,

Prof. Dr. Ayşe YÜKSEL

CYDD President

Now, let's turn to Germany... The news regarding the months-long debates within the Baden-Württemberg structure of the CYDD organizations in Germany was published on 12punto, and the allegations were included in the report. These allegations naturally granted the parties involved the right to reply.

CYDD BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG RESPONDED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA

A response came via social media that fell outside the standard tone expected between the press and readers or organizations. Instead of a text clarifying the allegations with information and documents, a post filled with harsh expressions targeting the news and personal accusations against the author was preferred. Thus, the ÇYDD Baden-Württemberg debate, which has been talked about in Germany for months, has entered a new phase following the publication of the news.

This move, filled with heavy accusations against the person who wrote the claims rather than addressing the claims themselves,  has also revealed a worrying landscape regarding how debates are conducted in the civil society sphere.

The following statements were included in the text written under the news link I shared on my social media account, posted from the official social media account of ÇYDD Baden-Württemberg:

"The journalistic profession is not about conducting one-sided executions based on hearsay without even taking the views of the parties involved, but we see that you have completely disregarded this fundamental ethical principle. Acting as a spokesperson for those who have been trying to discredit our association with baseless allegations on social media for months is not journalism, but clearly manipulation. Publishing these baseless 'rent' and 'management' allegations without asking a single question to our management, which has maintained its composure and focused only on its work for months, has cast a shadow over your impartiality."

The biggest truth consciously hidden in your news is this: The expelled individuals entered into a 'parallel' structure to our association, first establishing the 'Türkan Saylan Association' and then the 'ÇYDD Esslingen,' thereby declaring direct war on our corporate identity. In legal association management, this is a cause for expulsion in itself and is a concrete violation of the bylaws so clear that it leaves no need to even open the other allegations for discussion. Why you did not mention a single word about this parallel structure clearly reveals whose agenda you are serving by preparing this news.

We have not been a part of any polemic until today out of respect for the Association for Supporting Contemporary Living and our legendary general president Türkan Saylan, and we have not compromised our quality or stance. While our new office building, which we brought to our association with our visionary moves, and our achievements are evident, we strongly condemn your smearing of these successes and bringing baseless allegations to the headlines. We would like you to know that we have initiated the legal process regarding your biased journalism woven with false information and that we will seek justice not on social media, but before the judiciary and at our upcoming general assembly. We invite you to be investigative and fair in a manner befitting the honor of the profession you represent!"

Like every institution, the ÇYDD Baden-Württemberg management certainly has the right to express its views. The right of reply is essential in journalism. However, exercising this right with concrete information rather than personal accusations is a healthier method for both the public and the reputation of the institution.

THREAT OF LEGAL ACTION FROM ÇYDD BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG REGARDING THE NEWS

In this instance, a different path was chosen: a response conducted via social media that directly targeted the journalist.

Since it has been stated that legal proceedings have been initiated regarding the matter, developments will naturally be evaluated before the judiciary. We will continue to monitor this process and keep the public informed.

The political atmosphere in Europe today is tense. Populations are becoming impoverished, and the possibility of war is being discussed more frequently. The crisis in the Middle East is deepening. Concerns regarding Turkey are rising, while Germany's stance on the Israel issue is being intensely debated. In such an environment, the position of immigrant communities is already sensitive. It is precisely during this period that the dragging of Turkish non-governmental organizations into destructive internal debates is creating serious anxiety within the Turkish community in Germany.

CHP WÜRTTEMBERG: "WE DO NOT WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED"

The mention of the Republican People's Party (CHP) in the news also sparked controversy. The event actually unfolded as follows: Ahmet Gül, one of the founders and former presidents of ÇYDD Baden-Württemberg, announced in a public statement that he had resigned from the Republican People's Party Württemberg organization—rather than the institution he was affiliated with, namely ÇYDD Baden-Württemberg—following the ongoing disputes. Gül, who previously served as the President of the CHP Esslingen Working Group, stated that he made the decision to resign on the grounds that he "did not receive support during this process."

This resignation and the subsequent press release from Gül caused the dispute that began within the ÇYDD Baden-Württemberg association to spill over into the political arena. However, another question arose here: How appropriate is it to expect support from a political party due to a conflict within a non-governmental organization, or to invite politics to intervene in this process?

As emphasized in the previous report, the solution to problems in the civil society sector is not to look to politics for help, but for institutions to operate their own democratic mechanisms.

CHP Württemberg President Şirin Üstün expressed their discomfort regarding the party's name being associated with these debates with the following words:

"We would like to clearly state that our members are sensitive about and object to the People's Party name being mentioned alongside gossip, internal strife, and similar debates, or alongside other individuals or non-governmental organizations. Our party's name should always be associated with principles, democracy, and social responsibility.

We live in Europe, in an order where democracy is established and the rule of law functions. In this context, if there is an injustice or a violation of rights, the path to a solution is clear: to apply to independent judicial authorities and seek justice.

The Republican People's Party is neither a court nor an institution to mediate between parties. Our party's duty is to defend the rule of law and strengthen democratic values; it is not to be a party to individual or institutional disputes.

The responsibility and the task of producing solutions regarding the ongoing process belong to the mechanisms of the relevant institutions themselves, especially the CYDD Headquarters.

Today, while there are serious problems such as deepening economic and political crises in Turkey, increasing risks of war in the world, and rising nationalism and racism in Europe, we believe that we should focus our energy on these major issues. It is our collective responsibility to strengthen social solidarity, unite around common values, and look to the future with hope."

The fact that an institution identified with the name of Prof. Dr. Türkan Saylan has been associated for months with insults, expulsion polemics, social media fights, and court processes is increasingly perceived as a source of shame. At the very least, these are the concerns.

As for the accusation by the ÇYDD Baden-Württemberg management that the news report acted as a "spokesperson"... When the report is read carefully, what will be seen is a suggestion to "step aside" for all parties without discrimination.

Whether they are right or wrong has now become secondary. This is because for the institution to get back on its feet, it must be purged of all these controversies. To be frank, it needs to be cleared of everyone who played a role in the crisis. A fresh start is only possible in this way.

Now, all eyes are on how this institution, founded by Türkan Saylan with the ideal of "contemporary living," will emerge from the crisis it is experiencing.