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NGO Side Event Addresses Human Rights Concerns for Older Persons

By Linda Bloom, Global Action on Aging

February 4, 2010

While cultural attitudes about older persons may vary from country to country, all nations are grappling with issues of discrimination against their elder citizens.

A Feb. 4 panel discussion on “Regional Perspectives on a New Human Rights Instrument for Older People: Concerns and Benefits” addressed that situation. The discussion was an NGO side event during the U.N.’s 48th Commission on Social Development.

Miloslav Hettes of Slovakia, pointed out that “Europe is an old continent with a very old population these days.” While Europeans are living longer, their numbers also have dropped. “We are going to lose 20 percent of our population in the next generation,” he said.

Although older Europeans represent “a triumph” of progress in health care and better living standards, they also are subject to exclusion, marginalization and discrimination, he pointed out. Hettes, who supports a convention on the rights of older persons, said the European Union did certify a charter of fundamental rights last year that includes some protections for the elderly.

Bertin Babadoudou of Benin noted that older people are highly respected in his country and said Benin’s government already has made efforts to provide social protection for the elderly.

He advocates the strengthening of national laws for older persons as a step toward an eventual convention. Cultural and regional values also need to be considered. “We used to say Africa is one, we have the same culture,” he said. “But we are very different.”

Maria Luz Melon of Argentina agreed that varying cultures must be respected. “We are coming to the same thing from differing realities,” she said. “We cannot have a one-sided approach.”

Attitude is important. “Aging is not a problem, aging is a success,” she explained. “Aging is a good thing that is happening to all the regions.”

Each country needs to do as much as it can on promoting the rights of older persons “but as speedily as consensus will allow us,” Melon said. Working toward a convention in this manner “should bring us together.”

Zahid Rastam of Malaysia pointed out that discrimination against older persons exists at all levels of society and governments must change the prevailing attitudes that people’s lives are worth less the older they get.

Rastam believes Asian countries, as a whole, would have a positive view about a convention. But countries that have “a larger voice” at the United Nations need to take the lead. “Then, I think, the rest will follow,” he said.

Those attending the side event also expressed support for a convention on the rights of older persons. “It would be a way of ultimately guaranteeing that older people are given recognition,” said Mary Mayer of the International Federation on Aging.

Mary Jo Ryan, a young woman who works for the Loretto Community, was just as excited about the idea of having a legal, binding document for elder rights. “This document would better help me advocate for something I’m passionate about,” she declared. 

The event also served as the launch of a new resource, “Strengthening Older People’s Rights: Towards a U.N. Convention.”

The publication is a collaboration of Global Action on Aging, AARP Office of International Affairs, AGE/UK, HelpAge International, International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, International Federation on Aging, International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, International Longevity Center Global Alliance and the NGO Committee on Aging.

Alexandre Kalache, global advisor for HelpAge International, called the collaboration “historical” and lauded the efforts to act in concert to promote the convention.

The resource can be downloaded from any of the sponsoring organizations’ Web sites. 


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