At the Sixth Assembly of the World Youth Movement for Democracy, members discussed the alarming number of youth political prisoners and the increase in their arrests. Because of this, WYMD is making the protection of youth activists a priority initiative of the network. With many young activists in prison due to their political beliefs and actions such as Adnan Hajizade in Azerbaijan, Sadeq Jawad Ahmed Al-Fardan in Bahrain, Juan Carlos Herrera Acosta in Cuba, and many others in Burma, Egypt, Iran and around the world it is critical to take action now to defend youth activists.

The network is showing solidarity for those facing unjust prison sentences and will mobilize urgent action when youth are arrested. By serving as a central location to collect information and alert others of youth arrests, WYMD will raise awareness on this issue and advocate for the release of prisoners. As a global movement, WYMD will call on international bodies to defend and protect youth activists and encourage all network members to show solidarity for those arrested.

View Political Prisoner Campaign in a larger map

This map depicts youth political prisoners around the world and provides information on their detention. As youth continue to play a significant role in leading reform movements, we are witnessing a rise in their arrest and detention. If you know of youth activists currently imprisoned, please send their name and the details of their arrest to urgentaction@wymdonline.org to be added to the map.

14th of April – Jakarta, Indonesia

We, the young people present at the 6th assembly of the World Movement for Democracy,

Coming from more than 25 countries from every continent to Jakarta, Indonesia, from the 11th to the 14th of April;

Sharing the values and objectives of the World Movement for Democracy as expressed in its Founding Statement;s

Committed to furthering the World Youth Movement for Democracy, as established at the Third Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy in South Africa in 2004;

Expressing our continuing support to the texts and declarations produced by young people attending previous meetings of the World Youth Movement for Democracy;

Noting that young people are often at the forefront of democracy promotion and democratic change in countries around the world ::MORE

No more youth political prisoners!

Take Action Now!

Since demonstrations in Bahrain began on 14 February, 2011, over 200 people, many of them youth, have been detained, and at least 23 have been killed. Learn more [here].

Adnan Hajizade now FREE!
[Read More]

Learn more about young activists at risk or currently imprisoned:

Spotlight on Burma:
There are 285 students
and youth currently held
as political prisoners

Ahmed Douma: Egypt
Adnan Hajizade: Azerbaijan
Ahmed Maher: Egypt
Ali Abdulemam: Bahrain
Maxim Popov: Uzbekistan
Mohammed Al-Maskati: Bahrain
Nixon Moreno: Venezuela
Pen Puthsphea: Cambodia
Tafadzwa Mugwadi: Zimbabwe
Tal al-Molouhi: Syria
Tian Xi: China

Alerts

Sudan

African Centre for Justice & Peace Studies releases report "Stemming the Tide: Arrests of Student and Youth Continue in Efforts to Curb Potential Organising Power" ::More

Azerbaijan

Oct. 20: Dalga Youth Movement
call for government action
against police who detained
members. ::More

Cuba
WYMD Calls for the Release of Young Political Prisoners in Cuba - "Cuba's Political Prisoners and the Struggle for Liberty," by Aramis L. Perez.

Informe del Centro de Información Hablemos Press reports on the violations of human rights in Cuba during the month of May. The report tells various stories of the people who were victims of the injustices of the Cuban government ::MORE
___________________________