Gina Romero – UN Special Rapporteur, exclusively: Denying youth their rights risks silencing entire generations

In an exclusive interview for REUC, Gina Romero, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, speaks candidly about the challenges in protecting fundamental rights, the importance of institutional transparency, and the need for concrete diplomatic solutions in Serbia and globally.

Throughout the conversation, Romero shared a series of observations on the role of youth in democratic processes and how international mechanisms can contribute to strengthening civic space.

“Every time young people are denied their rights, we risk silencing entire generations,” Romero emphasized, underscoring that inclusivity and the protection of freedom of expression are the foundation of a sustainable democratic society.

The interview offers a summary of the UN Rapporteur’s key messages and opens space for dialogue on how resilient democratic institutions can be built through accountability, international cooperation, and inclusive discourse—with a particular focus on amplifying youth voices. Romero also discusses potential mechanisms the European Union could apply to highlight true democratic values and address human rights violations in Serbia.

Gina Romero: „We from the Special Procedures, we have sent several letters. I went on an academic visit to Serbia. I met with different people. I actually reached out to the mission, the permanent mission, the representative from Serbia in Geneva and I talked to them. I had a meeting with them last June and then they actually requested a visit, an official visit to the country and they accepted, but then they have never confirmed the date. So this is something that you don’t know if they are playing games with me or if they are waiting for the summer to end just to give me a concrete response.„

In addition to her reporting work, the UN Rapporteur explained how much has already been done regarding freedom of assembly and human rights in Serbia, while stressing that more efforts are needed.

Gina Romero: „I am doing this also not only to inform like citizens in general and people around the globe, but also to inform even governments, other governments from other regions that are perhaps not aware of what is happening. And then this has been very interesting because every time you reach out, let’s say a permanent mission or like a diplomat for a country which is not close to the EU or Europe politics, they actually get very surprised of what is happening. They have heard something about like student protests, but then they don’t have much more information.„

See the full interview at the link here.