During the 27th session of the UN Human
Rights Council ( September 8 to 26 , 2014) IIMA and VIDES have contributed to
the Periodic Review of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Costa Rica and
Nicaragua with a Joint Oral Statement for each country during the  item 6 ( Universal Periodic Review , UPR consideration
of outcomes ) . Also presented was another oral statement on the empowerment of
young people (Youth Empowerment: a human rights perspective) during Item 8
(General Debate on Follow Up) . The latter was a response to the recent side
event (Youth Empowerment: a Human Rights perspective, March 11, 2014) on the
situation of young people in the world, co -sponsored by 25 states and by the UNOHCHR
.
As for the statement on the UPR of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, IIMA and VIDES took
the opportunity to express satisfaction in seeing that these countries accepted
most of the recommendations relating to the protection of children’s rights,
young people and women; especially those most vulnerable (migrants and Indigenous
people). Recommendations were given that they put remedies and measures in
place in order to combat violence against women and children, promote the right
to education for all and protect the rights of children especially the ones
living in the most difficult situations (those in the street, migrants,
indigenous and rural areas).
The oral statement on youth highlighted that
recently, even more than in the past, we assist to the tragic involvement of
young people in the most dramatic conflicts currently experienced in several
countries. As victims or as perpetrators of human rights violations, young
people are protagonist in many current conflicts and social tensions. The most
dramatic acknowledgment stems from the recognition that youth have the capacity
to significantly contribute to sustainable development. Youth have the
potential to play a key role in conflict resolution and human rights’
implementation for the society at large, if they have access to conducive
conditions to foster positive changes.  
IIMA and VIDES addressed recommendations to
the Member States, encouraging them to take concrete actions in order to
achieve the empowerment of youth and protect their human rights; to ensure
youth’s rights are addressed by all human rights mechanisms of the United
Nations and to devote a Panel Discussion on youth as part of the Human Rights
Council.

To access the videos of the Oral Statements
follow the link below. Proceed to minutes 46, 45, 35 and 54 to see them
directly.