UN starts international contract: protection of older people now!

UN starts international contract: protection of older people now!

The United Nations has launched a working group to develop an international contract to protect human rights of older people. This decision was welcomed by the President of the Senior Citizens Ingrid Korosec, who denounces the disadvantage of older people due to demographic developments. According to Korosec, the contract is to create a legal framework against age -related discrimination and be created quickly. It is particularly important to her that this contract not only exists on paper, but is also implemented in practice. explains the Institute for Human Rights that ...

technical discussions on the right of older people

In February 2023, one of the technical discussions about the right to health for older people. Experts found that access to health services is restricted by several factors. This includes the digitization of the healthcare system, the rationing of expensive medication and inadequate accessibility in medical facilities. Older women and people with disabilities and migration background who suffer from intersectional discrimination are particularly affected. A uniform legal framework could be urgently needed here to enforce the rights of older people.

Another point that was discussed in March 2023 to discuss the social inclusion of older people is the effects of age discrimination on loneliness and social isolation. Internal negative age images hinder the self -awareness of older people and are further reinforced by stereotypical representations in the media. Here there is a need to develop new socio -cultural roles for older people and to change their representation in public in order to promote social participation on the one hand and to strengthen social interaction on the other.

outlook and further steps

The 13th session of the OEWG-A took place in New York in April 2023, with Brazil and Portugal being commissioned to initiate participatory processes to close the protection gaps in the international human rights system. The documentation of the technical discussions is a step in the right direction to sustainably strengthen the rights of older people. The results will continue to be followed in order to be heard in future discussions and take measures. The Institute for Human Rights offers further information on these topics.