Page 32 - EN-Youth Report

Self-expression, Freedom of Expression.

First, we tried to discover the opinion of Youth about the way that their communities are being
administrated. 31% of the youth reported a lack of confidence in the political and military leaders that are
deciding their fate. Moreover, when we tried to understand how much they could influence and/or oppose
to the decisions these leaders are taking, the results showed that young people are not able to express
their views freely. 63% of the respondents said that they are unable to do so, especially in matters related

to their communities. This is a sign of a high level of marginalization, that would lead to hopelessness and
despair. And this was by the answers for a different question about marginalization, where 19% of the
respondents said that they are feeling marginalized in their communities

When looking at the status of justice, 52% emphasized the lack of access to justice. This could be explained
through the accusations that were made against civil laws and law professionals (lawyers) by those who
hold radical interpretations of the Islamic law (Shari’a), the absence of support for judicial institutions, and
the presence of Shari'a courts affiliated with military factions, without an independent military court.

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32 | MAPPING YOUTH SITUATION IN NORTHWESTERN SYRIA