The importance of protection in civic space was emphasized in the UN SG’s Call to Action
for Human Rights and it was one of the three key priorities in the UN’s Guidance Note on
Civic Space. In his first-ever report on YPS, the Secretary-General called for the development of dedicated guidance on the protection of young people, including those who engage with the UN, as part of a new Common Protection Agenda for the UN system. This call was also reiterated by numerous Member States during the latest YPS VTC of the UN Security Council in April 2020.
Results of the research demonstrated that young people experience a wide range of threats
that present a significant obstacle to their safe exercise of political and civic rights. Young
women, youth minorities, youth migrants, refugees, internally displaced youth, non-citizens
and stateless youth, as well as youth with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ youth and youth in rural communities are often the most marginalized and vulnerable groups, for whom access to justice and accountability in civic space is, at times, close to impossible.
To access the report, click here.