PYD Co-president Asya Abdullah was welcomed at the "Challenging Capitalist Modernity Conference" in Hamburg with 'Long live the YPJ' slogans.

PYD Co-president Asya Abdullah spoke at the 'Democratic Modernity' session of the "Challenging Capitalist Modernity Conference" in Hamburg, criticising the nation state system. She said: “The nation-state system oppresses all peoples in the interests of a small stratum. Millions of people have been slaughtered worldwide on account of this system. In Rojava we are developing a new philosophy and an alternative paradigm. We are carrying out an revolution of ideas. In Rojava the people make their own decisions and meet their own needs. Communes have been set up and commissions established to resolve problems. This is also valid for economic, diplomatic and defence issues." Abdullah added that they were under attack from many sides, but had resisted these attacks, with women playing a key role. Following her speech, PYD Co-president Asya Abdullah was given a standing ovation, while 'Long live the YPJ' slogans reverberated around the hall.

Havînn Güneşer, one of the organisers of the conference, began her speech with stern criticisms of capitalism. Güneşer said an alternative life was possible all over the world, giving Rojava as an example. She said the ideas of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan regarding capitalism had not been sufficiently understood, adding: "I hope that one day Mr Öcalan will be free and we will be able to debate these ideas with him."

Emine Ayna began her speech by celebrating Mr Öcalan’s birthday, saying: “In capitalism the state decides how society will live. We should therefore reject the rule of the state. It does not ensure justice."

‘Öcalan’s resolution project is a democratic one'

Michael Panser made a presentation, in which he emphasied the democratic nature of the system Abdullah Öcalan wishes to develop. Dr. Tamir Bar-On said Mr Öcalan’s resolution was not just for the Kurdish people but was for all the peoples of Turkey. He added: "Civil society can play a serious role against the nation state. The Rojava revolution is important here, as it is necessary to establish a system based on the people. This is the solution to the crisis." Bar-On said Mr Öcalan’s ideas had matured on Imrali island, while Federico Venturini stressed the necessity of developing democratic modernity against the capitalist system.