A/HRC/19/55 C. Youth and student defenders 127. Youth and student defenders seem to be targeted for their involvement in peaceful demonstrations and protests or the publication of articles or blog entries. They also seem to be highly exposed to physical attacks. 128. States should refrain from having their security personnel use excessive force during demonstrations. Law enforcement officials should be trained in international human rights standards and child/youth protection measures, particularly regarding crowd control during public assemblies. 129. States are encouraged to invest more in youth development and facilitate participation of youth in public affairs, e.g. through simplification of registration procedures for NGOs or providing support to youth organizations in the registration process. 130. States should facilitate and simplify notification/registration procedures for the participation of youth and students in public assemblies, including by removing prohibitions preventing youth, and in some cases children, from participating. 131. Youth and student defenders should be equipped with knowledge about human rights protection mechanisms, risk assessment skills and connections with national and international organizations. 132. NGOs should try to be youth friendly and cater to youth’s needs; they should try to look at ways in which youth are mobilized, what sort of change youth expect, etc. 21