Under the slogan “A communal society guarantees a free life,” the first conference of the People’s Council of Binarê Qendîl has come to an end. Delegates from 67 villages in the rdish mountain community in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) took part in the meeting. In the closing plenary session, Aram Hisên and Lavan Mistefa were elected as the new co-chairs of the People’s Council.
The conference was dedicated to establishing and strengthening a grassroots democratic model of society. The sessions included reviews of the past two years, identification of current challenges, and presentation of concrete plans for upcoming initiatives.
Message from Abdullah Öcalan read aloud
At the beginning of the conference, a message from Kurdish thought leader Abdullah Öcalan was read out by Dilşad Îbrahîm, acting co-chair of the People’s Council of Binarê Qendîl. The message emphasized the importance of self-organization and social strength for a free and democratic life.
Subsequently, the other co-chair, Lavan Hemedemîn, presented a comprehensive activity report covering the last two years at the communal level. The report also addressed challenges in areas such as education, infrastructure, and coordination.
Reports on health and women’s work
Fatme Salar presented developments in the health sector, pointed out existing shortcomings, and explained future plans to improve basic medical care in the region. In the area of women’s work, activist Serwîn Celal presented an overview of projects and plans organized and supported by women within the People’s Council.
The central focus was on establishing self-determined structures by women for women—in education, economics, everyday organization, and political participation.
People’s Council as a model for local self-government
Ronahî Hisên then read out the People’s Council Statute. The role of the People’s Council as a democratic instrument of self-government at the local level was emphasized. The participants discussed the proposals that had been put forward, identified priorities, and developed new projects for the coming years.
At the end of the conference, a vote was held on the new leadership. Aram Hisên and Lavan Mistefa were elected as the new co-chairs with overwhelming support.