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| Kurdistan / Syria
Rojava, the PYD and Kurdish self-determinationThe Kurds of Syria, that is of West Kurdistan (Rojava), have now become key actors in the combined process of counter-revolution, civil war and self-determination underway in Syria. The PYD (Democratic Union Party) had already taken de facto control in the enclaves of Kobané first, then of Afrin and Jazira, following the withdrawal of the Assad regime’s forces in July 2012, and it had declared autonomy in this region in January 2014 as a reaction to not being invited to the second Geneva conference. But it was mainly with the siege of Kobané by Islamic State and the audacious resistance of the Popular Protection Units (YPG), and particularly the women fighting in the ranks of the YPJ, that the forces linked to the PYD and the experience of self-determination in Rojava obtained legitimacy and enjoyed support at the international level. -> read article... |
| Pakistan
Demanding land rights is not terrorismA massive repression of the most militant but peaceful peasant movement in Pakistan —the Anjman Mozareen Punjab (AMP)—is underway. Most of its leadership has been arrested under false anti-terrorist laws. Dozens are missing while over 50 remain behind bars. All have been declared “terrorists” by the Okara district police, working hand in hand with the Military Farms administration, which mainly serves military officers. -> read article... |
| Pakistan
Use of anti-terror laws against peasants’ movementThe Pakistani state’s black brush being used to paint any dissenting voices as terrorists under the National Action Plan has now been directed towards the ongoing peasants’ movement in the heart of the Punjab province. The enabling conditions in the security framework has allowed the state to create an atmosphere of repression and impunity in the Okara Military Farms and form a narrative that demonises the peasants and allows for unbridled violence under the guise of national security. -> read article... |