Daily Agenda
NUN Foundation President Esra Albayrak: Colonialism did not end, it was reproduced in different forms!
NUN Education and Culture Foundation Chairman of the Board Dr. Esra Albayrak wrote for AA Analysis about the historical course of colonialism within the framework of decolonization discussions and the conditions under which a new consensus would be possible.
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When we look at the process the world is going through, we can say that we are at an important breaking point where people and societies want to redefine the way they make sense of the world and their position on the global plane. Whether this repositioning process will be shaped through an inclusive consensus or deepening conflicts is one of the fundamental issues that we, as social scientists, must pay careful attention to and develop a common road map. As a social scientist, an educator, and perhaps more importantly, a mother, I think that the attitude we show today for the future of humanity is important for the mental and spiritual legacy we will leave to our children. I believe that a consensus approach should guide humanity’s search for a more just world. Building a consensus that prioritizes human dignity is not a purely political choice but a moral responsibility.
The prevailing international order’s sense of superiority, devoid of values, has dragged humanity into an existential crisis and has legitimized all kinds of inhumane treatment through the distinction between “primitive” and “civilized” throughout history. The genocide that took place in Gaza on October 7 and afterwards brought to light the wounded memory of humanity and brought about a deep questioning of the moral and political legitimacy of the current international system.
This picture reminds us of a historical fact: Colonialism is not a page closed in the 1960s, but a structure that continues its existence by acquiring new forms. Academic studies carried out under the title of postcolonial studies around the world for years still seem far from fundamentally analyzing the global structure in which colonialism is reproduced in different forms. At this point, would it be possible to rethink decolonization as the possibility of liberating from the colonial mentality and imagining a more original, fairer life?
THE HUMAN BURDEN AND THE PRESENT PRESENT OF DECOLONIZATION
The mental background of the “white man’s burden” discourse reached its peak in 19th-century European thought. Malthus conceptualized society as a sphere of contract operating on scarce resources; From here Darwin developed the idea of ”survival of the fittest”; Darwin’s cousin Galton carried this into eugenics, dividing humans into superior and inferior genetic categories. With the concept of sociogeny, societies were ranked as primitive or civilized. Sociology was defined as the science of modern societies, and anthropology was defined as the science of primitive societies. Thus, science was turned into a tool to legitimize colonization. In this process, to which Rudyard Kipling gave moral legitimacy with the phrase “the white man’s burden”, the obligation of the so-called superior to elevate the inferior was seen as an indispensable responsibility.
The 20th century continued to bear the traces of this understanding. Even though anti-colonial movements spread and colonies gained their independence, the colonial mentality continued to shape the world order in various forms. Decolonial discourse rightly questioned this framework and often even suggested the opposite: It suggested that the colonized had the burden of regaining what was taken away, but to reverse something is not to transcend it. Saying “the black man’s burden” means continuing to remain within the architecture of the hierarchy that is intended to be destroyed, no matter how critical one is. The dichotomies of black-white, East-West, primitive-civilized were never a fair description of the world, but were dichotomies imposed on the world.
What needs to happen is that this logic should be abandoned, not reversed. We must center the “man’s burden”, not the black or white man’s burden. We must look at the issue not as a racial or civilizational category but as a shared responsibility arising from a more fundamental claim. As adopted by many universal beliefs and civilization teachings, existing as a human being is valuable and worthy of respect, regardless of other qualities. As a matter of fact, Islam defines human beings as beings with immunity (ismet) and adopts the protection of their rights under all circumstances as a basic principle. Sincerely embracing such a universal human understanding makes it possible to embrace humanity in all its diversity and turns into a behavioral value that rejects exploitation from the first moment. However, we now clearly see that the human rights discourse, which has become global since the second half of the 20th century, has not gone beyond the “white man’s burden” rhetoric, despite all its flashy propositions, and has even been turned into a tool of exploitation and taming the other. Then, we have to look for ways to transcend Western-centered and predominantly Western-produced discourses and place human immunity and dignity at the center of discourse and life. In this way, it may be possible to restore the rights of the oppressed world and to purify the exploiter from the “mastery complex”, which is the main burden that he cannot prevent.
MULTI-CENTERED GEOPOLITICS OF INFORMATION
Today’s information ecosystem, shaped by a single-centered and supremacist perspective, is one of the areas we must confront first in the context of decolonization. Because the “epistemic arrogance” created by the formation of the production and circulation processes of knowledge under the hegemony of a single center is one of the main responsible for the alienation and crisis of meaning that humanity has been dragged into today.
There have also been intellectual objections to “epistemic arrogance” rising within Western academia. While Frantz Fanon exposed colonial violence with psychoanalytical sharpness, Edward Said showed how the East was constructed as a geographical and conceptual phenomenon within a matrix of knowledge. Talal Asad, on the other hand, questioned the epistemic violence on which the West’s claim to universality is built. This critical vein is a tradition that decolonial thought both feeds on and continues to reckon with, and this tradition asks us the following questions: For whom and for what purpose do we produce knowledge? Through which knowledge traditions do we make or fail to make sense of ourselves, our geography and the world? Is knowledge a tool of power production or the basis for the search for truth and meaning? The answers we give to these questions will determine what position we will take in the new world order.
Undoubtedly, knowledge traditions that establish the relationship with knowledge through meaning and truth, and do not turn it into a tool of superiority and privilege, will protect the dignity and solidarity of humanity more strongly. Today, we have to question the roles and hegemonic epistemic powers of the world’s respected universities, institutions that produce knowledge and represent international law, in the construction of the current crises and unfair order. In this regard, as the conscience of academia and knowledge, we need to revive ancient epistemic centers and even uncover new ones and turn our direction to new horizons.
ISTANBUL AND A NEW COMPROMISE
Istanbul is not only a host in this debate, but also an actor with a unique perspective due to its historical location. Istanbul, which has been the intersection of world trade, culture and politics for thousands of years, can offer a reliable basis for a compromise that prioritizes human dignity, epistemic justice and the possibility of multicultural social life in the new world order. This consensus should not be satisfied with a well-intentioned passive resistance, but should also build a strong objection to the impositions of the single-centered dominant system and the self-confidence to call to account.
The World Decolonization Forum, planned to take place in Istanbul on May 11-12, will rise on this basis. More than 70 academic papers will be presented at the forum, where academics, intellectuals and activists from Africa, South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and the critical traditions of the West will come together. With the decolonial art exhibitions that can be followed simultaneously and the Decolonized Film Festival that will take place at Atlas Cinema the same week, participants will be provided with an honest dialogue environment where different disciplines rarely meet on the same ground.
We invite everyone who believes that humanity’s heritage cannot fit into a single story to Atatürk Cultural Center on 11-12 May.
Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi received the European Commission’s Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Suica.
Türkiye’S MEDIATION ACTIVITIES
During the meeting, regional and global developments were discussed comprehensively. The constructive role of Türkiye in international crises was underlined, and the importance of mediation activities between the parties and its initiatives to prevent food shortages, such as the grain shipment from Ukraine, was emphasized.
Türkiye IS AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD IN MIGRATION MANAGEMENT
At the meeting, it was stated that the model put forward by Türkiye in migration management is an example in the international arena. Cooperations developed with the countries that source migration, practices to increase border security and comprehensive work carried out in the fight against irregular migration were highlighted.
During the meeting, the possible migration movement originating from Iran was evaluated and it was stated that no significant intensity has been observed yet and that caution should be exercised in case the crisis deepens.
CALL FOR A JOINT STOP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERROR
In the meeting, it was also pointed out that a wave of migration could affect not only the countries in the region but also a wider geography, especially Europe. Regarding the fight against terrorism, it was stated that some terrorist organizations should not be allowed to use Northern and Western Europe as a logistics center by abusing the area of rights and freedoms, and that members of terrorist and organized crime organizations should be prevented from abusing asylum mechanisms.
News Entry
According to the breaking news; 6 members elected as YSK members by the General Assemblies of the Supreme Court and the Council of State took the oath and started their duties today.
Following the oath ceremony, an election was held to determine the YSK President and Deputy Chairman, whose term ends at 16.00. In the election, Serdar Mutta was elected instead of YSK President Ahmet Yener. Deputy Chairman was İsmail Kalender.
WHO IS SERDAR MUTTA?
He was born on January 1, 1974 in Kırıkhan/Hatay. He graduated from Kırıkhan High School, and after graduating from Istanbul University Faculty of Law in 1995, he did his military service as a Military Judge in Konak/Izmir.
MUTTA, who started his career as a candidate judge in Beyoğlu/Istanbul; He served as Hüyük, Uzundere, Türkoğlu Judgeships and Justice Inspector, Ministry of Justice Personnel Department Head, Enforcement and Bankruptcy Services Department Head, HSYK Deputy Secretary General and High Advisor to the Ministry of Justice, respectively.
MUTTA, who was elected as a member of the Supreme Court of Appeals on July 16, 2018, was continuing his duty as a member of the Twelfth Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals.
He completed his master’s degree with his thesis titled “Supervision of the Administration and Ombudsman System” at Istanbul University Institute of Social Sciences, Department of Public Law, on March 7, 2001, and completed his PhD study with his thesis titled “Judicial Control in Criminal Procedure Law” at the Near East University Graduate Education Institute, Department of Public Law, on June 5, 2021. He speaks English and his work titled Supervision of Administration and Ombudsman System has been published in Kazancı Publications. He is married and the father of four children.
“We are a young girl in the prime of her life, whose future, hopes and dreams have been left unfinished. We, as the state, will pursue this matter to the end. We are trying to do whatever we can. This is the purpose of establishing this unit. To go to the end, especially in unsolved murders. While our sister Rojin is a young girl in the prime of her life, it is not clear whether the incident is murder or suicide? We need to solve this. This is our subject anyway, the prosecutor’s office must determine this. Suicide or murder. You, as the family, “You think it was murder. Of course, all aspects of this matter need to be investigated to the smallest detail.” Stating that his wife is also from Van, Minister Gürlek emphasized that he will pay close attention to the family and do whatever the state can do.
“WE TRUST OUR STATE AND JUSTICE”
Father Nizamettin Kabaiş also thanked Minister Gürlek for his interest and support and said, “We always trust, our state, you, justice. We are very hopeful.” Kabaiş said, “My daughter was very innocent,” and asked for the perpetrators of the incident to be identified. At the end of the meeting, Minister Gürlek said that the issues brought to the attention of the family and lawyers will be carefully examined by the relevant department. Deputy Minister of Justice Can Tuncay, Ministry of Justice General Director of Criminal Affairs Hazım Aslancı and Deputy Director General of Criminal Affairs Ömer Demirci also attended the meeting.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Rojin Kabaiş, a first-year student at Van Yüzüncüyıl University Child Development Department, disappeared in Van on September 27, 2024, and Kabaiş’s body was found 18 days later on the shore of Molla Kasım village of Lake Van. In the first examination, it was determined that there were no sharp or gunshot wounds on his body and there were no bone fractures. Van Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office continues its investigation into the incident. Investigations regarding the death of Rojin Kabaiş, which is among the files being worked on by the Unsolved Crimes Investigation Department established within the General Directorate of Criminal Affairs of the Ministry of Justice, continue.
News Entry
YSK President Serdar Mutta said, “The Supreme Electoral Board will continue to fulfill the duties assigned to it by the Constitution and the law, in complete impartiality and independence, as it has done so far. We received the flag today. We will try to fulfill this duty in the best way possible, in line with the rule of law and constitutional principles. We will do our best to ensure that all election processes are carried out in a transparent manner within the legal framework, from the beginning to the end of the elections. On this occasion, we wish that the election held today in our board will be beneficial to our nation, Turkish democracy and our entire election organization.” “I thank you all endlessly,” he said.
Ahmet Yener, whose term of office has expired, said, “As of today, the term of office of me and 5 of our friends has ended. On behalf of all my fellow board members, I convey my good wishes to the President Serdar Mutta and our Deputy Chairman İsmail Kalander, who were elected today. I also wish the next period to be beneficial to our board members who took the oath and started their duties today. I thank all of you for the patience you have shown us. I hope the results will be beneficial to the Turkish nation, Turkish democracy and our political parties.”
WHO IS SERDAR MUTTA?
Serdar Mutta was born on January 1, 1974 in Hatay Kırıkhan. Mutta, who graduated from high school in Hatay, completed his military service as a military judge in Konak, Izmir, after graduating from Istanbul University Faculty of Law in 1995. Mutta, who started his career as a candidate judge in Beyoğlu, Istanbul; He served as Hüyük, Uzundere, Türkoğlu Judgeships and Justice Inspector, Ministry of Justice Personnel Department Head, Enforcement and Bankruptcy Services Department Head, HSYK Deputy Secretary General and High Advisor to the Ministry of Justice, respectively. Mutta was elected as a member of the Supreme Court of Appeals on July 16, 2018.
News Entry
According to the statement made by the Ministry, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek met with Tuğaltay’s mother Gülnur Saygı Tuğaltay, her older brother İlker Tuğaltay and the family’s lawyers at the Ministry of Justice. During the meeting, Gürlek expressed his condolences to the family and said, “There is a murder here. The state must solve this murder and address it. Especially the death of a young brother in the prime of his life is the responsibility of the state.” he said.
Emphasizing that, as a state, they will solve these murders and that all means will be mobilized, Gürlek said: “If there is a crime, there is definitely a perpetrator. It is our duty to solve it. In these cases, evidence must be collected as soon as possible. Just because it was not collected then, does not mean that it will not be collected now. Every trace, finding and data deemed suspicious should be re-evaluated with today’s technology and conditions.”
“DNA OF THE 12 PEOPLE WHO ENTERED THE BUILDING WILL BE EXAMINED”
Gürlek stated that the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office found it appropriate to make a “fethi grave” for the 4 people who were suspected of Çağla Tuğaltay’s murder and lost their lives, upon the request of the family, and also stated that DNA samples could be taken for new suspects. Gürlek stated that the DNA analysis of the 12 people who entered the building later would be conducted, and that the homicide bureau teams at the time would be interviewed and the investigation authorities would evaluate whether they had any other evidence. Referring to the newly established Unsolved Crimes Investigation Department, Gürlek said:
“We are not an investigation authority, we do not have the authority to give instructions to judges and prosecutors. Our friends are professionals in this field, our friends in the unit we established, the general manager, the deputy general manager and the head of department, are professionals. We look at it from a different perspective. In order to accelerate and resolve the process, we investigate what kind of technical opportunities we have at all institutions of the state and ensure that the relevant institutions are put at the service of the investigation authorities. It is entirely at the discretion of the investigation authorities to employ the relevant institutions in this regard and appreciate the necessity of the procedures.”
By Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office; A detention order was issued for 34 suspects, including business people, within the scope of the investigation against ANSET, a subsidiary of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, which undertakes organizations such as the Golden Orange Film Festival and the Piano Festival. 27 of 34 suspects were detained. It was reported that 2 of the suspects were in prison, 2 were abroad, and efforts were continuing to capture 3 of them.
14 of the 27 suspects who were referred to the courthouse on Sunday after their procedures at the police station were arrested. While 11 of the suspects were released, a judicial control order was issued for 2 of them. Among the suspects; Muhittin Böcek, who was suspended from his duty as the Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and arrested within the scope of the ‘bribery’ and ‘extortion’ investigation, and Metropolitan Municipality General Secretary and former ANSET General Manager Cansel Tuncer are also included.
Cansel Tuncer, who was among the suspects for whom the detention order was issued, was discharged yesterday after his treatment at Akdeniz University Hospital, where he was hospitalized due to health problems. Tuncer, who was detained, was taken to the police headquarters to be questioned. Cansel Tuncer was sent to the courthouse after her procedures at the police station.
Cansel Tuncer, Secretary General of the Metropolitan Municipality, who was detained within the scope of the investigation against the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality subsidiary ANSET company and sent to the courthouse today, was arrested by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on duty after her statement at the prosecutor’s office.
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