The annual Human Rights Festival, held in Johannesburg, South Africa between March 26–29, 2026, once again brought together many activists, young people, teachers, and civil society representatives.
The festival was organized by the historic Constitution Hill, which hosted many political prisoners during the periods of colonialism and the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Today, the former prison complex functions both as an educational center and as a museum preserving the memory of the anti-Apartheid struggle.
This year’s festival was also attended by the Academy of Democratic Modernity (ADM) and the “Women Weaving the Future” network. As part of the event, a presentation based on the perspectives of Democratic Confederalism and World Democratic Women’s Confederalism was delivered. In the discussions that followed, it was emphasized that forms of collective organization based on the problems and social needs of peoples are possible, and that a common struggle grounded in this approach has become necessary.
It was also pointed out that the line developed by the Kurdish women’s movement in the struggle against patriarchal mentality, and the democratic nation perspective put forward by the Rojava Revolution, serve as an important source of experience and inspiration for local and democratic forces in South Africa.
On the final day of the festival, a stand was set up by ADM, where brochures explaining Abdullah Öcalan’s defenses and the perspective of Democratic Confederalism were distributed to participants.
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