Category: Democracy
Democracy is one of the three main pillars of the Rojava Revolution and the stateless self-governance model of the Autonomous Administrations of North and East Syria (AANES), as well as the Kurdish freedom movement more broadly, which initiated the revolution.
Democracy here is not the same as the representative democracy model found in Western countries such as the UK, Germany and France, where one person speaks on behalf of a large number of people whose interest they do not necessarily share. This is a more radical form of democracy, which aims to build up the entire society, giving everyone the chance to participate in making decisions on issues which affect their lives.
The most basic democratic unit is the commune, or neighbourhood assembly, which meets regularly and discusses issues affecting the community. There will be a number of committees in each commune which function like working groups to focus on particular issues, such as security, agriculture or conflict resolution. There is also an autonomous women’s council in every democratic structure in the AANES. Co-chairs of different genders (and usually different ethnic or religious backgrounds) are chosen to represent the neighbourhood at the district level assembly, and from there to the city-wide assembly, and so on.
Below you can find articles with more information on the evolving democratic system of the AANES and how people are taking control of their lives and learning to work together as part of a stateless system of self-governance in North and East Syria, and southeastern Turkey.
New era of female leadership emerges in Raqqa
Women are writing new chapters of success after eight years of continuous struggle in Raqqa. Today, women are taking the lead in communes, councils, and institutions, actively participating in areas of protection, security, and politics. Their testimonies confirm that what has been achieved in North and East Syria should serve as a launching point for a nationwide women's revolution across the entire country.
Hevrin Khalaf and the spirit of the democratic nation
Days after Turkey’s invasion of Rojava, Kurdish politician Hevrin Khalaf was assassinated. In this interview from 2018 she shares her thoughts on the Rojava revolution.
To build living spaces where no one is left without a commune
Stating that the first communes conference was held in Qamishlo, Hêvî Ehmed announced that preparations for a congress are underway to establish healthy communes, emphasizing that lovers of freedom must protect and strengthen them.
Women Protect the Environment Through Democratic Municipalities
In the Jazira region of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, women play an active role in municipal work, contributing to the protection of the environment and life through a democratic administrative model.
Communes: Cornerstone of democratic society
Communes in North and East Syria are regarded as the cornerstone of organizing daily life. They operate under a co-chair system and comprise 12 committees designed to build a cohesive democratic society, resolve problems through dialogue, and foster popular solidarity.
13 years ago, the Rojava Revolution
19 July 2025 marked the 13th anniversary of the Rojava Revolution.
Commune and council system in Rojava being renewed
After the decision by the Peoples’ Assembly to restructure the commune and council system, work has begun on 2,069 communes in the Canton of Cizirê.
Explainer: “Religion is the energy of liberation” – Islam in NES
Rojava Information Center interviewed figures and structures associated with Islam in North and East Syria. They included members of the Democratic Islam Congress and Delal Khelil from the Council of Religions and Beliefs, both structures which RIC previously interviewed in 2020. RIC also spoke to Sheikh Murshid Khaznawi, the son of Sufi Sheikh Maashouq Khaznawi, who was tortured and assassinated by the former Ba’ath government in 2005.
Women’s house, a center for resolving women’s issues in Raqqa
The Women’s house in Raqqa has become a trusted center that resolves family issues through dialogue.
City Women’s Assembly to be established in Muş
The municipality of Muş, won by the DEM Party, plans to establish a City Women’s Assembly to address women’s issues through women’s perspectives.
Jinwar – A women’s village full of change and hope in North and East Syria
Jinwar is home to many different women that have decided to join the community for a variety of different reasons. Something that unites all of them is their search for a free life in communality and the wish to learn, to strengthen and develop as women. Some of them have lost their husbands in the war, or others have freed themselves from domestic violence or forced marriage. There are also Yazidi women who have begun a new life here after they were liberated from the enslavement of ISIS.
