RIHA - While a central government mentality that says "No votes, no service" prevails in Turkey, a system in which women have autonomous status with co-presidency and decisions are taken through public meetings is in effect in Northern and Eastern Syria, which is adjacent to it.

 

Tens of thousands of people lost their lives and millions of people were forced to migrate in the civil war that started in Syria in 2011. Kurds in the north of the country, who took action to ensure their self-defense under war conditions, declared cantons to govern themselves and started the process of building a new life together with the people living in the region.

 

Following a resistance that went down in history as the "Rojava Revolution" on July 19, 2012, the construction process was initiated under the leadership of the Democratic Society Movement (TEV-DEM). In this process, assemblies and communes based on equal representation of peoples and beliefs were established within the framework of PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan's "Democratic Nation" paradigm.

 

The established communes and assemblies were the most fundamental pillar of the local-based management approach. Communes and assemblies, which have the will and authority to make decisions about their own living spaces, are based on free individuals. The Northern and Eastern Syrian Autonomous Administration, which was shaped on these free individuals, who are the basic engine of a new social system being built, is far from a centralized management approach.

 

This new social system, in which the centralized power patterns are destroyed, has been Turkey's target since the day its construction began. While the cities, which were destroyed by attacks extending to the entire economic and social superstructure of the region, are being rebuilt, on the other hand, the works revealed by the cultural, language, history and art studies continue to attract the attention of the world.

 

While there are only 4 days left for the local elections to be held on March 31 in Kurdistan and Turkey, Sileman Ereb, Co-chair of the Municipal Committee of Cizîre Canton of Northern and Eastern Syria, talked about local government concepts and municipal practices to Mezopotamya Agency (MA).

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNDERSTANDING

 

Sharing the information that elections have been held twice so far to determine local governments in Northern and Eastern Syria, Sileman Ereb said that elections will be held again in the coming months and that there will be some changes in the municipalities in accordance with the newly adopted Social Contract.

 

Sileman Ereb said: “With the elections to be held, the councils of all municipalities will be separated from each other and have local autonomy. Likewise, by ensuring the unity of municipalities in each canton, all municipalities will be represented by this union. Local government council members and municipal co-mayors will be elected by holding elections every two years. Our preparations for the election continue. These elections will bring about a significant change both in terms of democracy and public service. My call to our people is to participate in the elections and show their will at the ballot box."

 

'WOMEN HAVE AUTONOMY'

 

Stating that women have autonomy in municipalities, as in all areas, with the co-mayor system, Sileman Ereb said the following on this subject: “The co-mayor system is an indispensable part of our management approach. It is also our mentality and a situation brought about by a great struggle. For this reason, we make this understanding dominant both in Cizre Canton and in all institutions in Northern and Eastern Syria. This understanding is now established here. Women have autonomy in municipalities as well as in all institutions. They make their own decisions and put them into action. Likewise, women's unique projects are also included in municipal activities.”

 

EQUAL REPRESENTATION OF ALL IDENTITIES AND BELIEFS

 

Stating that all peoples, beliefs and groups based on the democratic nation paradigm are equally represented in the municipality, Sileman Ereb emphasized that justice and equality are the most important elements of municipal administration.

Sileman Ereb said: “We are based on an approach that is women-liberal, ecological and in which all segments of the society participate in the management with their own color, identity and belief in municipalities. This system is currently established in Northern and Eastern Syria and all work continues without interruption with this understanding. This system also sets an example for the whole world. In municipalities, if one co-chair is Kurd, the other one is Arab, Turkmen, Assyrian or Yazidi. In other words, we base it on all identities and beliefs to take part in management equally, according to the sociology of the society. For this reason, we can clearly say that the democratic nation paradigm has been implemented here."

 

NO STEP IS BEING TAKEN WITHOUT THE PUBLIC'S ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Pointing out that decisions regarding municipal works are taken by holding public meetings every 3 years, with the understanding of management in which the people govern themselves, Sileman Ereb said: “The public also participates in all municipal works. Studies are carried out regarding the needs and problems of the people through public meetings. Likewise, in these meetings, the municipality's work is read in the form of a report and disclosed to the public. The municipality's financial reports, how much money came, how much was spent, where it was spent and how much money is in the safe are shared with the public with great transparency. All doors of the municipality are always open to the public. People can come to the municipality whenever they want and explain their problems. When necessary, They can also complain and demand accountability."

 

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

 

Sileman Ereb also mentioned that original studies and projects for children and young people are developed in municipalities and shared the following information: “Young people also work by developing unique projects within the municipality. In fact, the majority of municipalities are young people. By opening children's centers within the municipality, we give priority to ensuring that there are no children left living on the streets and meeting the shelter, nutrition and protection needs of every child. These centers work to meet all the basic needs of children. There are also centers for very young children. Mothers and fathers who have to work entrust their children to these centers until their work is finished."

 

'GIVE YOUR VOTE TO YOURSELF'

 

Speaking about the March 31 local elections to be held in Kurdistan and Turkey, Sileman Ereb called for Kurds to support their candidates for self-government in the local government.

 

Sileman Ereb said: “Through these elections, let's support patriotic candidates who will serve the people in local government. Let's vote for ourselves against the ruling system. Let's govern ourselves by defending our democratic politics against the mentality that ignores us, threatens to attack Northern and Eastern Syria every day, and appoints trustees to municipalities in Kurdistan."

 

MA / Mahmut Altıntaş