UN development report cites political repression in Egypt as obstacle to youth participation

Cairo: The UN has issued a report criticising the lack of political freedom in Egypt for preventing youth participation in society.

This year's Egypt Human Development Report comes as the country has been swept by a wave of protests that have turned violent over allegations police beat to death a young man.

The report launched Sunday lists several areas that need to be addressed to better involve the country's 20 million Egyptians between the ages of 18 to 29 nearly a quarter of Egypt's population. Those include improving education, housing opportunities, political participation and employment.

The report says government corruption, nepotism, electoral fraud and the long-running state of emergency are discouraging political engagement.