A/HRC/19/55 100. With reference to article 7 of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, which states that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to develop and discuss new human rights ideas and principles and to advocate their acceptance”, the Special Rapporteur finds the contributions of youth and student defenders of particular importance. The concept of new human rights ideas and principles must be viewed in relation to the local context of human rights. The history of human rights and particularly recent events show that youth and students have a key role to play in putting new human rights ideas and principles on the national and international agenda and advocating for increased respect for human rights without discrimination. (b) Activities, risks and challenges faced by youth and student defenders 101. Between December 2006 and 31 May 2011, the Special Rapporteur sent 60 communications related to violations against youth and student defenders. In 34 of the cases reported, the victims were male. In 12 instances, the victims were female. Nine cases concerned victims of both sexes, while in six cases the sex of the victim(s) was not mentioned. 102. All 60 cases raised by the mandate holder during the period reported related to violations against youth and student defenders working on a very wide range of issues, including torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, impunity, freedom of religion, minority rights, students’ rights, youth rights, education, women’s rights and gender issues, trade policies and other economic issues, environmental and land issues, peacebuilding and democracy promotion. 103. Of the 60 communications issued by the Special Rapporteur between 2007 and 2011, 47 involved violations of physical integrity, including killings, physical attacks, torture, ill-treatment, enforced disappearances, forced labour and excessive use of force by police and security forces during demonstrations. It should also be noted that excessive use of force related to arrests and detention led to numerous such cases being coded as violations of physical integrity. 104. Thirteen of the cases involved violations of a judicial nature. They included criminalization of the activities of human rights defenders, arrests, fines, prison sentences and concerns about due process, including under anti-terrorism legislation and broad, vague and/or allegedly fabricated criminal charges. 105. Six communications involved raids/searches of offices, confiscation of materials (including computers and paper files) and surveillance of defenders, their organizations, their homes and/or offices. Five communications included violations of psychological integrity including death threats, harassment by police, security forces and non-State actors and, in some cases, these actions targeted defenders’ family members. 106. Communications issued by the mandate holder indicate that violations were often preceded by students’ and youth’s organization of and participation in peaceful demonstrations, public appearances and speeches or the publication of articles or blog entries. General perception of youth in society, also conveyed by established media outlets, often points to their young age and lack of maturity as grounds for not giving them a say in public affairs. Youth and student movements are seen as troublemaking rather than serious actors that can fruitfully contribute to public debate. 107. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur is concerned by recent trends in several countries towards passing legislation that prohibits young people, typically below 18 or 21 years of age, from participating in public assemblies. Further legislative moves pertain to the Internet, social media and instant messaging, which are increasingly subject to control by Governments. As these tools are extensively used by youth and student defenders, restrictions are likely to create particular obstacles to their human rights work. 17