Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, who has closely followed developments in Rojava and Kobane, is explaining his most recent impressions at public meetings and in the Arbetaren weekly journal in Sweden.
Swedish journalist Joakim Medin: “There is hope in Syria alongside death and tragedy and that is what I always try to get over.”
Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, who has closely followed developments in Rojava and Kobane, is explaining his most recent impressions at public meetings and in the Arbetaren weekly journal in Sweden. In the latest edition of the paper there is a 6-page story on "Rojava's revolutionaries'.
The article details the how the Rojava canton system works, with particular mention of the Cizîrê (Jazireh) canton. Medin reports that the Tel Beder military academy opened in January this year and has Kurdish, Arab and Chechen commanders. He says the soldiers there wear khaki uniforms and caps, different to the guerrillas in Kobanê.
Medin said following the revolution in Rojava a lively atmosphere exists, with the Kurdish people beginning to govern themselves, and with women's rights being guaranteed by newly enacted laws. "With the equality laws women have attained the rights denied them for 45 years by the Assad dictatorship.".
Most striking aspect of Rojava revolution is education
Medin stressed that one of the most striking aspects of the Rojava revolution was the education system, adding that many schools and educational institutes had been opened. He said the Mesopotamia Academy had been opened in September last year and provided education in sociology and history.
Medin said women's and language schools had been opened in all 3 cantons, that in the Nuri Dersimi Academy there were departments of philosophy, politics and geography and that all education was free of charge.
Canton administrators receive compulsory education
The Swedish journalist drew attention to the fact that all officials, bureaucrats, police and military officials in Rojava attend three week courses on gender issues, equality and the history of women's problems.
Hope springs in Rojava
Speaking at a conference in Stockholm last week, Medin said in reply to a question as to what should be done to protect the system in Rojava: "I always try to explain that there is hope in Syria in addition to death and tragedy, and that this hope is growing in Rojava. The whole world must see this and assist the Kurds, who have established this system."
Medin added that the resistance in Kobanê had attracted the world's attention, but that now after the victory of the resistance there was silence. He said it was necessary to tell world public opinion that there was not just a military resistance there, but an egalitarian, just system.
The future is in the Rojava system
Medin continued: “Officials from Rojava met the French President last month. Developments in Cizîrê offer hope for both Syria and the whole Middle East," adding that all revolutionaries and progressives have a duty to explain what is happening in Rojava and support the system that has been set up there. Medin concluded, saying: "Instead of romanticising the women guerrillas there, they should draw attention to the system and the organisation there, which is the future."
