Month: January 2015

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New Decree also Abolishes Forced Marriage and Honour Killing.

Roj WomenThe local government of an autonomous Kurdish area in Syria has granted women equal rights to men.

The move came as dozens of Kurdish women and girls are taking arms to combat the insurgence of terror group Islamic State (Isis), who have seized large swathes of Syria and Iraq since its uprising erupted in July. IS has imposed its own rules and version of Sharia law in the occupied territories.

The decree, published on the local government’s official Facebook page, stated that women and men should enjoy “equality … in all walks of public and private life”.

Women should be at least 18 to get married and they cannot be married off without their consent.

The decree also banned polygamy and stated that women now have full inheritance rights as men and they have the same weight as male witnesses during court trials. Continue reading “New Decree also Abolishes Forced Marriage and Honour Killing.”

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Saturday 31 January 2015

2015 Jan 31Firat News: Abdullah: Women are rewriting history today

PYD co-president Asya Abdullah, speaking at the first congress of the Democratic Free Women’s Movement (DÖKH) in Amed, said that the Rojava resistance had demolished the condescending attitude towards women.

The DÖKH’s first congress has begun at the Kayapinar Municipal Sports Hall. 501 delegates are attending the congress, including guests from Rojava, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Europe and Africa.

Pictures of Arin Mirxan, the 3 Kurdish women murdered in Paris, Sakine Cansiz, Fidan Dogan and Leyla Shaylemez and other Kurdish women who have died in the struggle, such as Zeynep Kinaci, Kader Ortakaya, Sema Yüce, Leyla Qasim and Ayshe Shan.

Following a one minute’s silence Feleknas Uca, Yurdusev Özsökmenler, Aysel Tugluk, Sara Aktash and Cihan Ekin were selected to the congress council. Continue reading “Saturday 31 January 2015”

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Rebuilding Kobane

2015 Jan 29 Kobani

After 134 days of fierce fighting, Kurdish forces managed to take control of Kobane city centre. The news about the liberation of the city circulated all over social media, especially on Twitter, on Monday. The official announcement of the city’s liberation was made on Tuesday, with a ceremony attended by both military and civilian officials.

The date chosen for the official announcement is not a coincidence as it is the first anniversary of the “Kobane Canton Administration” an autonomous system declared by the Democratic Union Party (PYD) forces last year.

At the official ceremony, Mahmud Berxwedan, the top commander of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) delivered a speech saying their victory is the beginning of the end for ISIL worldwide. Continue reading “Rebuilding Kobane”

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Nottingham Kurdish Solidarity Campaign Conference 31 January 2015

I came away from this Conference with hope that we can join together with others who will support:

  • the people of Kobani who face the massive task of rebuilding the fabric of their town and their lives, now that their forces have regained control of the area from ISIS. Much of the town has been destroyed;
  • solidarity with putting into place the Rojava Constitution.
    • We need to make our voices heard so that the Kurds and those who live with them know that we stand with them;
    • we need to work to ensure that the EU acknowledges the fact that the Rojava Constitution is in place.
  • The Rojava Constitution is a pattern of rule/guidelines that puts power to organise our lives in the hands of the common people. We may choose to adopt it for ourselves.

Continue reading “Nottingham Kurdish Solidarity Campaign Conference 31 January 2015”

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The Constitution of the Rojava Cantons

2015 Jan 24The Social Contract of Rojava Cantons in Syria

Preamble

We, the people of the Democratic Autonomous Regions of Afrin, Jazira and Kobane, a confederation of Kurds, Arabs, Syrics, Arameans, Turkmen, Armenians and Chechens, freely and solemnly declare and establish this Charter.

In pursuit of freedom, justice, dignity and democracy and led by principles of equality and environmental sustainability, the Charter proclaims a new social contract, based upon mutual and peaceful coexistence and understanding between all strands of society. It protects fundamental human rights and liberties and reaffirms the peoples’ right to self-determination.

Under the Charter, we, the people of the Autonomous Regions, unite in the spirit of reconciliation, pluralism and democratic participation so that all may express themselves freely in public life. In building a society free from authoritarianism, militarism, centralism and the intervention of religious authority in public affairs, the Charter recognizes Syria’s territorial integrity and aspires to maintain domestic and international peace.

In establishing this Charter, we declare a political system and civil administration founded upon a social contract that reconciles the rich mosaic of Syria through a transitional phase from dictatorship, civil war and destruction, to a new democratic society where civic life and social justice are preserved. Continue reading “The Constitution of the Rojava Cantons”

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Friday 30 January 2015

2015 Jan 29Firat News: Commission set up to rebuild Kobanê 

Following the liberation of Kobanê on the 134th day of the resistance against ISIS gangs, the Kobanê Canton administration has held a meeting to take effective decisions for the rebuilding of the war-torn city, while the operations of YPG/YPJ forces to liberate the villages continue.

The executives of the Canton held a press conference at the Azadiya Square to announce the decisions taken for the rebuilding process. Kobanê Canton Prime Minister Enwer Müslim said a commission had been set up to carry out a survey across the urban area to assess the scope of the damage and to determine the needs of rebuilding as well as to conduct international relations. Continue reading “Friday 30 January 2015”

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Thursday 29 January 2015

ypgFirat News: Three more villages liberated in Kobanê

YPG Press Centre said in today’s statement that the Kobanê resistance which has entered the phase of victory continues on the 136th day.

According to the statement, YPG/YPJ fighters have expelled ISIS groups from around the city and are continuing the operation to cleanse the rural areas of Kobanê of the gangs.

YPG Press Centre stated that Defense Units launched an operation against the occupied village of Korpingar, 3,5 km south east of Kobanê, last night. Fierce and intense clashes took place in the village which was liberated as a result of the operation, the statement said, adding that 2 gang members were ascertained killed and 3 others were captured alive. Continue reading “Thursday 29 January 2015”

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Wednesday 28 January 2015

2015 Jan 28Firat News: YPG liberate three points in south Kobanê

YPG Press Centre reported in a written statement that fighters of People’s/Women’s Defense Units continued the operation against villages south of Kobanê following the liberation of the town centre from ISIS gangs.

Recalling that the village of Helinc south east of Kobanê had been liberated yesterday, the statement said that the exact number of casualties left here couldn’t be ascertained, while 10 corpses of ISIS militants and large quantities of ammunition belonging to them were seized. Continue reading “Wednesday 28 January 2015”

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Tuesday 27 January 2015

2015 Jan 27Firat News: Kobanê victory celebrated in Rojhilat and Iran

Following the announcement of victory in Kobanê on the 133rd day of resistance, massive celebrations have also taken place in many cities of East Kurdistan as well as in the Iranian capital city Tehran. Celebrations started yesterday evening and continue throughout today.

According to the reports by Newroz TV based on local sources, people took to the streets mainly in the city of Sine and many others in Rojhilat Kurdistan to celebrate the victory after the Kobanê town centre was entirely cleansed of the gangs yesterday evening.

Footage from the Sine city shows that people are patrolling across the city in a convoy of vehicles while many others are dancing the traditional Kurdish folk dance (halay) at the city centre, frequently chanting slogans “Biji YPG/YPJ (Long Live YPG/YPJ), “Biji PKK” and “Biji Kurdistan”. Continue reading “Tuesday 27 January 2015”