Global: UN move to draft a convention on rights of older people ‘a major step forward’

Global: UN move to draft a convention on rights of older people ‘a major step forward’

Responding to today’s resolution by the UN Human Rights Council to establish a working group tasked with drafting an international treaty on the human rights of older people, Elena Sergi, Amnesty International’s Crisis Response Programme Campaigner, said:“The UN Human Rights Council has taken a major step forward. Today represents a milestone in the fight for the protection of older peoples’ rights.“Despite the growing number of older people in …

The drafting of a convention guaranteeing the rights of older persons has been pursued by the UN for two decades. The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution calling for the commencement of proceedings for a future convention to protect the fundamental freedoms of older persons, called “old people” in the approved text. The resolution, adopted without the need for a vote by the 47 member countries of the Council (including Spain, Colombia, …

Participants in today's consultation on dignity in old age stressed the need for a more respectful attitude towards older people. In their opinion, it is unacceptable that they are pushed to the edge of society, to be the target of belittling and violence. It is also not right if they are not given access to public service services, they warned.

Sexuality in old age is a fundamental aspect of human well-being, regardless of age. However, the prejudice that older people lose interest or the ability to enjoy their sexual life continues to permeate society and, worse still, in the medical sphere. This bias not only invisibility a part [...] La entrada LA SEXUALITY EN LA VEJEZ aparece primero en La Jornada de Oriente.

The rights of older people are insufficiently protected worldwide. In order to close these gaps, many states at the United Nations have expressed their support for the drafting of a legally binding treaty on the rights of older people. At its meeting today, the UN Human Rights Council unanimously agreed to the establishment of an intergovernmental working group. This is the starting point for the drafting of the treaty text. The German Institute…