Written statement on the Report of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law

On Wednesday 15 March the United Nations Human Rights Council discussed a report on young people’s role in democracy. The report summarises the discussions of the first UN Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law (A/HRC/34/46), held in November 2016 with the theme of “widening the democratic space: the role of youth in public decision-making.”

In written statement to the Council, the Youth Forum highlighted areas for further action and urged Member States to implement the report recommendations, involving relevant stakeholders and youth organisations in particular.

Read our statement below:

European Youth Forum

Wednesday, 15 March 2017

The European Youth Forum welcomes the report from the first session of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, which focused on “widening the democratic space: the role of youth in public decision-making.” We strongly support the recommendations, many of which are much needed and long overdue, and we urge States to implement them, involving relevant stakeholders and youth organisations in particular.

Various recommendations put forward but not reflected in the report remain crucial to achieve truly meaningful youth participation. We stress the importance of developing mechanisms for permanent, structured youth participation in the work of the UN. Such mechanisms must involve youth-led organisations, particularly Regional Youth Platforms, as the democratic, legitimate and representative voices of young people.

Furthermore, involvement of youth in the Sustainable Development Goals must go beyond awareness-raising. Representative youth-led structures or youth organisations must be provided with the space, support and resources to participate in decision-making, policy-making, budgeting, implementation, follow-up and review for sustainable development at all levels.

Finally, bolder steps are necessary to improve young people’s access to rights, such as a mapping of the obstacles youth face and the gaps and strengths of the current human rights framework in addressing such obstacles, as well as the establishment of a special procedure of the Council on the human rights of young people.

Thank you.

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Written statement on the Report of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law (A/HRC/34/46)

34th Session, Human Rights Council

Items 3 & 5, General Debate