In the face of rising authoritarian practices, Generation Z (15/30 years old) mobilizes. To assert their rights, defend their freedoms, and demand a better world, Amnesty International France meets these resilient youth. Mapping out a youth that organizes, protests, and invents new forms of mobilization around the world.
Determination. Courage. Resistance. These words are embodied by Generation Z today, facing repressive policies worldwide.
You couldn’t ignore it. Faced with the failure of public services, political elite corruption, minority repression, social media censorship, and liberty restrictions, the youth resist globally.
From Madagascar to Nepal, Cambodia to Morocco, Kenya to Georgia, they take to the streets, mobilize on social media, and redefine the codes of resistance 2.0 to denounce injustices, inequalities, and rising authoritarian practices.
But this mobilization comes at a cost. Excessive force, live ammunition shootings, mass arrests—these gatherings have been bruising in all these contexts. The youth’s powerful counterforce faces violence and repression from authorities seeking to silence them. These are the findings of our 2025/26 annual report.
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That’s why we chose to amplify their voices. To make their struggles visible. To highlight their courage. To support their resistance. We met with them. In partnership with WeDoData, we mapped out their voice and mobilizations. Aged between 13 and 28, they embody a youth that refuses to yield and demands the respect of their fundamental rights.
Their stories portray a raw reality: what it’s like to live under authoritarian rule. And the immense courage needed to break free, reclaim essential rights, and regain freedom.
Rights, freedoms, and global protests against authoritarian practices
Youth’s demands and mobilization methods are diverse. But they all share a common struggle: defending justice, their freedoms, and fundamental rights like health, education, clean water, housing, and employment.
In Nepal, youth stands against corruption. In Ecuador, they fight to protect the Amazon forest. In Hungary, they advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. In Georgia, they defend European values against growing Russian influence. In Iran, they challenge authoritarian repression. In Israel, they refuse to serve in the army.
“Speaking up loudly means putting justice above fear. We raise our voices against the resurgence of authoritarian practices.” – Derry, 25 years old, student in Indonesia
Social media, new spaces of resistance
Online platforms worldwide are becoming true spaces of democratic renewal and collective leadership.
To make their voices heard, the youth exhibit innovation on social media. In Nepal, Discord played a central and unprecedented role by facilitating the appointment of a new interim prime minister in September 2025. In Morocco, the platform became a vital space for discussion and organization for the Gen Z 212 movement.
These platforms also allow transcending borders and cultures in mobilization and spreading symbols. It’s notably through them that the Japanese manga flag “One Piece” became the global emblem of resistance.
Global repression
Instead of protecting these voices rising worldwide, authorities respond to youth’s demands with violence and repression.
Massive arrests, disproportionate use of force, imprisonment, and torture—every means is employed to silence dissent, instill fear, and crush the spirit of resistance. In Morocco, individuals speaking out in the media are arrested. In Kenya, social media has become a tool for repression. In Nepal, authorities use live ammunition against protestors.
“When we protest, we risk our lives.” – Robert, 20 years old, Madagascar
But beneath this violence lies just a reflection of the power of the younger generation and the threat they pose to those trying to diminish freedoms and constrain rights.
Generation Z, a powerful counterforce
Determined to defend their rights, the youth represent a formidable counterforce. The force of their dissent allows for significant progress and important victories.
In September 2025, mobilizations toppled the Nepalese government and led to a democratic renewal in March 2026. Faced with the Gen Z 212 demonstrations, Moroccan authorities agreed to increase education and health budgets in October 2025. In August 2025, Indonesian authorities retreated on a controversial allowance for deputies and engaged in dialogue with students.
In a world in flux, the resistance of Generation Z is a beacon of courage. Now more than ever, we must draw inspiration from it to combat the rise of authoritarian practices globally.
Rapport annuel 2025/2026: le bilan des droits humains dans le monde
Our teams have independently and impartially investigated in the field to assess human rights in over 140 countries. Our annual report is a reference and advocacy tool that exposes and provides insights to demand respect for our rights.
