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.
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Webinar on the Co-Chair system in NE Syria
On May 9th, the Civil Diplomacy Center, in cooperation with Neighborhood Parliaments in India, organized a webinar on “The Co-Chair System in Rojava – NE Syria”.![](https://mesopotamia.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240612-20240612-manset-jpg3750e5-image-jpg58d93b-image-150x150.jpg)
Women build common life in Jinwar
Women living in Jinwar, an all-women village, work together to build a common life. The village is the place that they always dreamed of living in.![](https://mesopotamia.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240606-image-870x-662cb0f27e5a4-jpeg91b7e1-image-150x150.jpg)
Final declaration of Rojava Ecology Conference published
Last April, a conference called "Ecology in Democratic Modernity - From Resistance to Construction: Perspectives, Possibilities & Challenges" was organized in Qamishlo.![](https://mesopotamia.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8859-1030x687-1-150x150.jpg)
Translation: Law of Democratic Municipalities and the Federation of Municipalities
In anticipation of the forthcoming municipal elections in NES, planned for 11th of June 2024 [now postponed to August], the DAANES passed a new law specifying its system of municipalities and federations of municipalities.![](https://mesopotamia.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Untitled2-e1718024497203-150x150.jpeg)
Translation: Administrative Divisions Law
In preparation for the forthcoming municipal elections in NES, planned for 11th of June [now postponed to 8 August, 2024], the DAANES passed a new law defining the administrative divisions of the NES region. This follows the DAANES’ publication of the new Social Contract in December 2023.![](https://mesopotamia.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240507-nevin-oyman-3-jpg1253cc-image-e1717156248892-150x150.jpg)
Women’s Council to be created in Amed to support women
Amed Metropolitan Municipality is getting ready to create a “Women’s Council”. “Our aim is to solve the problems faced by women and reach all women,” said Nevin Oyman, member of the Women's Commission of the municipality.![](https://mesopotamia.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Untitled1-e1717154476144-150x150.jpeg)
Translation: Municipal Elections Law 2024
In anticipation of the forthcoming municipal elections in NES, planned for 11th of June 2024, DAANES passed a new law explaining the election process. The elections have been called in accordance with the publication of the New Social Contract in December 2023.![](https://mesopotamia.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240422-20240420-18-04-2024-efrin-sehba-kantonu-belediyesi-esbaskani-elif-mihemed-jpgc6b344-image-jpegb751d5-image-e1716972039112-150x150.jpg)
Afrin-Shehba Canton Municipality continues to serve people despite attacks and embargo
Afrin-Shehba Canton Municipality does not stop its activities despite the attacks and embargo, and serves the public based on an ecological life. In 2024, solar energy will spread in the districts and villages.![](https://mesopotamia.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GMOqfc3WYAAtmEm-copy-2-150x150.jpeg)
First Ecological Conference of North-East Syria
A new step toward the ecological revolution.![](https://mesopotamia.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/11-2-1200x480-1-150x150.jpg)
The third conference of the Democratic Islam Congress was held in Qamishlo
The third conference of the Democratic Islam Congress was held under the slogan “Diligence and renewal are the gates to the solution of Middle East issues”.![](https://mesopotamia.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20231207-png38eda6-image-150x150.jpg)
Family law protects rights of women and children in NE Syria
One of the achievements of women's struggle in North and East Syria is the “Family Law” that protects the rights of women and children and spreads the idea of common life in society.![](https://mesopotamia.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240426-20240426-20240426-image-870x-662b9b3b45d6f-jpgc0a06d-image-1-jpg3918e3-image-jpga6932a-image-e1714653989677-150x150.jpg)