GENEVA (14 May 2024) – With the proliferation of war and violent conflicts around the world, students and young people are at the forefront of calling for change, UN independent experts* said in a statement. “Peaceful protests against the current war on Gaza are a prime example of how young people have come together in international solidarity to protest against the flagrant disregard for human rights and to call for peace,” they said. “Today’s youth demand recognition of their call to state and non-state actors to take responsibility for their actions and pursue peace and human rights (including women’s rights and the right to a clean, healthy environment). Through their activism, young people are demanding change and solutions,” the experts said. They noted that by raising awareness about important issues in their societies and providing a platform for young people to share their political demands, youth international solidarity demonstrations can help build public support for change. Despite age-based discrimination, child and youth international solidarity activists and human rights defenders continue to play an active role in protecting and promoting human rights. This indicates that International Solidarity actions may be considered signatory vehicles of democracy in the 21st century, including to reduce and or prevent the financing of conflicts. “Young people are frustrated with the lack of response from states, universities and non-state actors (including corporations) to promote peace and human rights,” the experts said. “They have a right to have their voices heard.” *The experts: Cecilia M Bailliet, Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association; Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences; Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on Foreign Debt and human rights; Ashwini K.P., Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order Barbara G. Reynolds (Chair), Dominique Day, Catherine Namakula, Bina D’Costa, Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent. The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. **International solidarity is the expression of a spirit of unity among individuals, peoples, civil society actors, businesses, States, and international organization to pursue networked multilateralism promoting social cohesion and trust. For more information and media request please contact: hrc-ie-solidarity@un.org For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts, please contact Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org) or John Newland (john.newland@un.org) Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts.