Binarê Qendîl, a model of radical democratic self-goverment

The southern Kurdish mountain community of Binarê Qendil is known for its beauty and its nature. The landscape is characterized by huge mountain ranges, winding paths, green forests and fertile alpine pastures. For years, the region with its 63 villages has been organized according to the model of democratic autonomy and the basic principles of the gender-free paradigm of the Kurdish freedom movement. Binarê Qendîl consists of five regions: Navdeşt, Dola Şaroş, Qelatûkan, Maradu and Dola Baleyan.

An island of democratic autonomy

The community is far from the ruling structures of Iraq and Southern Kurdistan and organizes everything at the local level. The autonomous economy is supported by collective production. People do not pursue a wage or profit-based life, but organize the economy according to needs in a communal way. This means that what people need is what is produced. All problems are solved by councils. The self-government of Binarê Qendîl consists of the town hall, the council, the women’s organizations and the youth organizations.

Building a democratic society

The institutions of the autonomous administration focus on problem solutions and orientate themselves towards the needs of the population. Schools, places of worship that respect all religions and roads have been built in the villages.

Problems with the heating, electricity and water supply are solved by the appropriate institutions of the administration, and the basic supplies of the population are ensured. In Binarê Qendil, agricultural products are collectively harvested and distributed in a communal way. Representatives of the councils are constantly on the move and visit the people in order to be able to grasp the problems of the population and to develop possible solutions.

Binarê Qendil has playgrounds for children, sports complexes for young people and workshops for women. In contrast to Iraq and South Kurdistan, where the electricity and infrastructure problem could not be solved for years, it has been solved in Binarê Qendil.

The co-chair system

All council structures, including the People’s Council of Binarê Qendîl, work on the principle of gender-parity co-chairmanship. Accordingly, each mixed structure must be headed by a man and a woman. The People’s Council of Binarê Qendîl consists of 100 representatives from the village councils. Both the steering committee and the co-chairs are elected every two years.

Commissions organize life

The incumbent co-chairs of the People’s Council of Binarê Qendîl are Resûl Hesen and Şinyar Resûl. Hesen talks about the work of the council and affiliated commissions as well as the importance of the biennial conference for the election of the governing bodies: “Twenty-five people are elected to the board. They will then be appointed to commissions for reconciliation, economics, social affairs and development, environmental protection, communication and the board committee. We want to do the residents of Binarê Qendîlê a good service.”

Ten of the board members are women. “We play a leading role in the Council in solving social problems and protecting the environment,” explains Şinyar Resûl. “Binarê Qendîlê is one of the places in Kurdistan where there are the fewest homicides or violent crimes. The women of the community are involved in all decision-making issues and have made important progress.”

The People’s Council of Binarê Qendîl

The first conference of the People’s Council of Binarê Qendîl took place on 23 December 2017 in the village of Enzê. The statute passed there says: “The People’s Council is an institution of society that works to improve the living conditions of the inhabitants of the region, to serve them and to create social peace. The council advocates the equitable solution of problems, the protection of habitats and the development of regional products. It is based on harmonious cooperation with other institutions in society for the benefit of the people. “

The women’s assembly of Binarê Qendîl

The principles of the council are as follows:

* It is based on community and volunteer work.

* When solving problems, it behaves democratically and justly and makes the will of the people its basis.

* It attaches importance to the values ​​of the people and protects them.

* The separation of villages or regions, for whatever reason, is contrary to the basic principles of the Council and is unacceptable.

* The Council opposes any kind of environmental degradation and attaches great importance to environmental protection.

* The role of women and young people in leading councils, boards and commissions is of central importance.

* All villages within the boundaries of the region administered by the People’s Council also form councils and municipalities. Representatives of the villages take part in the meetings and conferences of the general people’s council.

* The People’s Council assumes responsibility for social problems, land issues, etc. Through the Reconciliation and Peace Commission, it works on solving problems.

* The council helps build the villages.

* The council opposes attacks and bombings.

* Every citizen, whether man or woman, whatever political position, has the right to vote and stand for election to all organs of the council.

* The Council organizes meetings, seminars and trainings on subjects such as freedom, democracy, progressiveness, awareness and the totality of principles.

* The co-chair elections take place every two years. The co-chairs must be a man and a woman. The persons elected to co-chair the Council must have the vote of two-thirds of the members of the conference.

The tasks and responsibilities of the Commission

The Peace Commission works to find a just solution to all social problems in the region and is guided by the law. When resolving problems, a final decision is only made after consent has been reached from both sides. It is examined whether there is general agreement with every decision made.

The Ecology Commission serves society and works together with the administration and environmental organizations for a healthy environment. It contributes to the greening of the region by planting seedlings in the areas where they are needed. The Commission is also working to protect water resources and wild birds.

The main goal of the Economics Commission is to guarantee society’s self-sufficiency. The focus is on community work. The products serve society.

In the communication commission, individuals and social organizations work in a coordinated manner. The body is responsible for the communication of certain events and the archiving of files and dossiers.