Lectures by Dr Sibel Kibar in Institute of Philosophy, 28.05.2015

Institute of Philosophy invites you for the lectures by
Dr Sibel Kibar
(Kastamonu University, Turkey)
Is It Possible to Discuss the Problem of the Universality of Human Rights without the Present Constrains and Humanitarian Interventions?
(28th May, Thursday, room 104 at 13.15)

Turkish Government’s Mission within the New World System and People’s Uprising in 2013
(28th May, Thursday, room 104 at 15.00)

Dr Sibel Kibar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Kastamonu University where she has been a faculty member since 2012. She received her Ph. D. degrees from Middle East Technical University, in Ankara. Her research interests lie in the area of political philosophy ranging from justice, law, ideology, rationality of agents, equality, freedom and human rights. In recent years, she has focused on the philosophy of human rights and humanitarian interventions.

Abstracts of lectures:

Is It Possible to Discuss the Problem of the Universality of Human Rights without the Present Constrains and Humanitarian Interventions?
The problem of the universality of human rights is far beyond the realm of pure philosophy. Yet it is still important to debate on the foundations since how we deliberate on the foundations will determine how we react on the current humanitarian interventions. The distinction between negative and positive rights fulfils two crucial political functions. The first; the so-called ‘developed’ or welfare states have begun to give up some of the requirements of being a social state and their duties towards their own people on the justification that the economic and social rights are not basic. The second function serves a ground for ‘developed’ countries in order them to interfere in ‘developing’ countries’ internal affairs and humanitarian intervention. My point is that both positive and negative human rights must be regarded as universal. Human rights must be explained by the conditions of their existence.

Turkish Government’s Mission within the New World System and People’s Uprising in 2013
For a long time, Turkish people have thought that everything gets worse and nothing will change because of the general insensitivity or just plain fear of the AKP terror. But in June of 2013, people in İstanbul decided to claim their right to have a public place; that is, Gezi Parkı was going to be ruined and built a shopping mall instead. The demonstrations against the demolition of the “Gezi Park” near Taksim Square turned to an explosion of anger. This uprisinghas showed that there is no need for fear and raised our hopes. The actions and protests, which have started in Istanbul and spread all over Turkey, have a massive, legitimate, and historic character. The most important of all is that the striking switching of people’s depressed mood. The fear and apathy have been overcome and people regained their self-confidence.