Legal struggle in self-defence

 

NEWS CENTRE - The Kurdish Women's Movement's assessment regarding the legal dimension of the self-defence discussions towards 25 November is important: "It is important that women can defend themselves legally on democratic grounds in the face of all kinds of attacks by the current system, and it is important to establish ways and methods to carry out the democratic struggle on the legal grounds as well, being aware of their rights within the framework of existing laws."

 

Women are welcoming 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, at a time when there are many evaluations about the increase in attacks on women by the male-dominated system. In such a period, 25 November is being welcomed with the strongest actions, events and discussions this year. One of the main axes of these discussions is the self-defence debate. While seeking answers to the question of what kind of self-defence against violence and massacres, the Kurdish Women's Movement's discussions on self-defence stand in an important place. Due to this need, we are sharing the discussions of the Kurdish Women's Movement on the subject.

 

In this part of our dossier, we have discussed how self-defence should be in all areas of life, especially its legal dimension.

 

An important dimension of self-defence is the legal ground. In the face of all kinds of attacks of the current system, it is important to create ways and methods for women to defend themselves on democratic grounds in a legal sense, and to carry out the democratic struggle on the legal grounds, being aware of their rights within the framework of existing laws. From legal reforms and changes to the development of the struggle within the framework of existing rights requires an organisation of self-defence. From bar associations to women's law offices and awareness raising activities, it is important to develop self-defence tools and methods in this field as well.

 

Self-existence in living spaces is possible through self-defence

 

In conditions where all kinds of massacres, denial and annihilation policies are in effect, legitimate defence comes into play to ensure life. In this respect, it is different from self-defence. It is developed for the sole purpose of protecting its own existence. Self-defence is the people's own security and defence of themselves. In this context, self-defence is not a militia force or a front. In essence, it is the people's existence and protection of themselves in social areas in their own living spaces. It is to protect itself against all kinds of attacks. Starting from the neighbourhood to the village, in every area where the people develop their self-organisation and autonomy, self-defence is the basic organisation of protecting the values of social life. It is not a power organisation separate from society. It is completely based on the self-power of the society. It is the defence of its political, economic, cultural and moral existence. Legitimate defence is legitimate, but it expresses a more intensified self-defence due to the conditions created by heavy extermination and genocide attacks.

 

What should be the style, the method

 

It is necessary to reconsider and re-evaluate the understanding of the action of women's self-defence. What should be the goal, style and method of action in self-defence?  Especially with the democratic autonomy project, on what grounds should the understanding of action be based? PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan's statement ‘In fact, the main purpose of popular action should be formulated as the state's consent to its own democratic institutionalisation and thus its emancipation, and its acceptance of responsible representatives for this’ is very important in this respect. Therefore, the biggest justification for the action is all kinds of ideological, political, cultural and military attacks by the state on the democratic organisations and social values of the society.

 

Developing its own solution initiative

 

It is clear that society and women who develop their own solution initiative and base their life decisions on their own will are in essence in a struggle in all areas of life. From the development of women's own cultural organisation and activity in a neighbourhood, to the use of their own mother tongue, to closing the neighbourhood for a while against the attacks of the state, from school boycotts to the formation of commissions that will discuss, plan and carry out peace conditions and work in the neighbourhood, from creating women's own educational conditions to cleansing the neighbourhood from prostitution and drug foci, all fall within the scope of action. At the same time, resorting to radical methods of struggle at the city or national level that will spread over days is also action within the framework of self-defence.

 

To equip oneself strongly in every field

 

In this sense, democratic autonomy requires constant action. It is not a stance against the state, but in essence the structuring of a life based on the society's own self-will and autonomy. It is important to establish an understanding of action that does not confront the state, but is based on standing against it wherever and however the state attacks it, and developing its activism. While it includes a wide range of democratic forms of action such as protests, rallies and boycotts, it also includes comprehensive and radical methods of struggle. The radicality of the actions is certainly related to the state's recognition of the social will and whether it is in a principled dialogue and reconciliation with it, whether it remains silent, or whether it attacks it and the severity of the attack. But sociality itself is already the greatest action.

 

There cannot be a women's sociality that does not mobilise, is always alive, does not discuss, does not create decision-making grounds and does not structure itself. In this respect, it is important for women to discuss what action is and its framework. To meet their economic needs, to solve the problems that arise when this is prevented in a communal and democratic way at a minimum level, extreme poverty of a family, unemployment, illness, lack of education; these are all social problems. And they are problems that need to be solved socially. They are more social than individual or family problems. It is especially essential for women to equip themselves very strongly in these areas of life and to have the power of action and the power of solution. It is important to place the understanding of action and self-defence on such comprehensive socialisation grounds.

 

Tomorrow: ‘Male Judiciary’ obstacle to self-defence