A workshop kicked off in Beirut on June 13 to discuss the International Conspiracy against Kurdish leader Öcalan, the global crisis and its effects, the role of a democratic nation and women, and joint working methods for the realization of democratic confederalism in the Middle East.

The two-day workshop is organized under the motto "Road to peace, Together for a democratic Middle East". More than 80 lawyers, politicians and intellectuals from 10 countries in the Middle East and the world, including Lebanon, Iraq, Tunisia, Sudan, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, South Africa, Iran, Turkey, North and East Syria and Kurdistan are participating in the workshop.

The workshop is organized by the Lebanese Continual Federal Congress, the Newroz Cultural Association and the Multicultural East Platform in cooperation with Demokratia Novu Orao Seclorum and RESILIENT BEIRUT.

The third session of the workshop today was moderated by Kurdish journalist Xazne Nebi from North-East Syria. The opening speech was made by Selwe Qiqe Bin Afiye, member of the African Women’s Union and Committee for Security and Peace, who spoke about Öcalan’s perspective and philosophy of women, equality and freedom.

Selwe defined Öcalan as “a great theoretician with a strategic vision towards the region’s realities and practical proposals”.

Remarking that it was time to make arrangements according to the requirements of the age, Selwe said: “Where do we stand in terms of the practice of democracy and gender equality? Where do we stand in terms of diversity and freedom of thought? We must ask these very questions.”

Academic Dr. Hesen El İsa from the University of Şerq in Raqqa pointed to Abdullah Öcalan’s “Democratic Nation” philosophy, which criticizes the state’s nationalist colour.

El İsa said: “Leader Öcalan examines the system and its institutions, and their primary missions. According to his perspective, their mission is to get organized but they failed to do so and became tyrant administrators.”

Kurdish politician Mizgîn Mugiriyan from East Kurdistan highlighted the importance of re-gaining women’s leading role in society and cited the women-led uprising in Iran and East Kurdistan. Remarking that women should organize themselves according to the changes in the world, Mizgin pointed out women’s capability to achieve anything with commitment and determination. She noted that women’s organizations could be utilized to achieve rights and other gains.

Speaking after, Rihan Loqo, spokesperson of the women’s umbrella organization in North-East Syria, Kongra Star, stated that the first revolution in human history was led by women. She also talked about the concept of Jineology (Women’s Science) which was presented by Abdullah Öcalan in 2008.

“Abdullah Öcalan taught us to demand freedom for women. While dealing with the equality of women and men, he was the first one to bring up the idea of empowering women and stopping violence against women,” Rihan Loqo said.

The workshop continues with the fourth session titled “"Towards a Democratic Middle East", discussing the common strategy for the construction of a democratic Middle East, joint efforts to introduce a democratic confederation in the Middle East, and solution methods for the refugee problem in the region, especially in Syria.