Malin Björk :the feminist struggle goes on every days

In an interview carried out by ANHA many issues relevant the reality on the ground in Rojava were touched upon with Malin Anna Björk.

Malin Björk, welcome to you at the ANHA News Agency.

Regarding the March 8^th, what can say on this day?

I think the March 8^th , for all of us is moment to celebrate achievements for women's rights and feminist struggle and all the women that fought before us and all struggles that are still going on to address when it comes to women rights to have equal access to powers to economy and a life freed from violence, and I think March 8^th is a moment for celebration and feasibility, for the feminist struggle and in that sense I think that the Kurdish women's struggle is an inspiration in many ways for many of us well beyond your region.

How the Rojava Revolution shapes March 8^th?    

The March 8^th is one day in the year, but the feminist struggle goes on every days of the year, and in that sense many of us have been able to follow and get information on what is going on in Rojava and how the patriarchal powers structure have been dismantled and how local democracy has been installed with co-chairs, with self defence in a feminist way to have self-governance, self-decision that are extremely important visions not only for women but for the whole of society. I think that Rojava has given us that the feminist vision can inspire the whole society to lay the foundations for a more democratic, more equal and  a more just society and that the feminist struggle is at the heart of that.

How the Rojava Revolution shaped the world at large?

I think the way the feminist vision has been able to shape the local governance and the self defence issues that are cores that can inspire feminist struggle around the world especially at a time when we are facing very authoritarian regimes in some parts of the world, we have got rid of Trump but we have still Bolsonaro we have Orban in Hungary, as feminists we know that we have some of the answers that are being in Rojava put in place, local assemblies, co-chairing, women and men, in the sense that ideas are being put into practice, is something that can  inspire all around the world.

As the Rojava Revolution was modeled on ideas of leader Ocalan that is still held at the Imrali Island Prison, what can you say on this? 

We are very concerned that the peace process has been completely undermined by the Turkish Regime that is been attacking not only Rojava rather in Turkey HDP members, that is a part of a bigger problem of the oppression against Kurdish people and others, every political opponent. The issue of Ocalan that is not able to take part in the peace process and peace talks is very unfortunate because what was need to be able to move forward and instead the Turkish Regime has chosen a totally different part with increased oppression of every political opponent, that is something to us at the EU level are denouncing and we are also denouncing the EU support to Erdogan Regime that make the situation extremely difficult and criticising the persecution of the HDP members, Kurdish activists, journalists and civil society, it is a very authoritarian regime.

What should have be done in respect to the crimes committed by Turkey and mercenaries against women in occupied territories?

I think Europe has a big responsibility because it has chosen to collaborate and even pay Turkey to stop migrants and refugees from moving from Turkey into EU that is very important than standing up for democracy and the human rights in Turkey and to give justice and equality to all people in the region, I also think that silence from the EU when Erdogan attacked Northern Syria and Rojava is unforgivable, there is a big responsibility. From the left we would like to see that the transfers of money to the Turkish Regime is being stopped. It is a problem also that Turkey is a NATO member country, my country Sweden is not a NATO country, but it is a problem that the NATO countries seem to turn their eyes away, even though Turkey is attacking the Kurdish community in Northern Syria  and  using it's military to wage war. 

It is not urgent for a Fact-Finding Committee to be sent to Afrin, Sere Kaniye and Gire Spi to stop barbarity against women?

I think very little reports are coming out on what is actually happening, and I think a fact –finding mission could be very useful, even that one includes different countries, and I think that the fact that authoritarian, occupation armies and armed forces attack of women rights and bodies is an element in every armed conflict and war situation to which we have to fight and to stop.

What is expected from the world at large towards the Rojava Revolution?

I think everyone, feminists definitely, but also people beyond feminist struggles, must acknowledge that we have to stand up for peace and democracy and if we are serious we have to stand with the women Rojava in their claim for rights, self and local governance and for the democratization of the society, we as a global community stand with and by the women of Rojava.

What Rojava model needs to spread all over the world? 

I think to be able to spread the kind of feminist and democratic practises that are being put into place in Rojava we have to be able to see each other, I look forward to make the possibility for different feminist movements to meet and hear more from the feminist struggle in northern Syria to make sure that we make more feasibility so that people can actually see there are many interesting models  being invented and that we have to be able to learn and be inspired but we have to make more feasibility on what is happening in your region to make sure that it reaches across the world and you have to be the major player in that, I look forward to that.

Final call for the March 8^th, in Rojava

For the celebrations on the International Women's Day in Rojava I wish you to celebrate all the victories that you have already achieved,  all the changes and the democratization of your societies and I wish you to gather strength together and to broaden our feminist struggle so we can reach out and work together for a stronger feminist agenda not only in your region but also in Europe and beyond.

L.A.

ANHA