Protecting the rights of the eldarly
On December 21 2010, the United Nations General Assembly established a Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) with a mandate to identify shortcomings in the protection of the rights of the elderly and the ways in which they can contribute to the solution of these gaps.
In August 2012, the OEWG third meeting was held in New York. The session addresses the gaps in the protection of older people, their rights and how to solve these problems in a number of areas, including: violence and abuse, discrimination based on age, individual life and health, social protection and access to justice care.
Based on the research and work with the elderly, consider that the existing framework of human rights completely ignore older people, it is necessary to improve the situation. They have prepared a written call for action, which contains ten reasons why the Working Group recommends the strengthening of legally binding standards on the rights of the elderly and the development of a new system of protection.
This call for action was endorsed by a broad spectrum of nearly 100 civil society organizations:
1. The number of older people worldwide is growing rapidly.
People older than 60 years represent a growing proportion of the world's population. Today, 760 million people aged over 60, by 2050 this number will grow to two billion. Older people are numerically prevailing over younger children (aged 0-4), in 2050 will be more older people than children under the age of 15. This trend is global. Today, 65% of people are aged 60 years and over, living in less developed countries, by 2050 the proportion of people will already be 80%.
2. There is no system for the protection of the rights of older persons.
While the rights of women, children, prisoners and persons with disabilities are protected by special international conventions and standards, such standards do not exist for older people, irrespective of their particular sensitivity to human rights violations.
3. There are clear gaps regarding the protection of older people in existing standards on human rights.
Only one of the existing human rights instruments explicitly prohibits discrimination based on age. The existing human rights standards do not contain specific provisions relating to the issue of elder abuse, long-term care.
4. The rights of older people are neglected in the current context of human rights.
The United Nations and regional human rights bodies have largely ignored the rights of the elderly.
5. Discrimination against older people is often present around the world.
Negative attitudes towards age and older is deeply rooted in many societies, in contrast to other forms of prejudice and discriminatory behavior is rarely recognized or challenged. This leads to a wide marginalization of older people and the cause of their loneliness and exclusion.
6. Older people are very vulnerable to abuse, deprivation and exclusion.
There is growing evidence to suggest that many older people face abuse and violence in their homes and institutional settings. Many people are also denied the right to make decisions about their personal finance, real estate and healthcare. Often faced with a lack of social security, labor, food and housing.
7. Older people have rights, but they often do not recognize these rights.
Many governments deal with aging primarily as social security or development issue, which means that older people are not seen as people who could enjoy their rights on the same basis as everyone else.
8. National protection of older people`s rights are inconsistent.
National standards on the rights of older people are patchy and inconsistent. As a result, only a few countries collect information on violations of the rights of older people. Violations will happen as long as there will be a lack of information about the nature and causes of violations.
9. Respect for older people`s rights benefit society as a whole.
Violation of the rights of older people has led to the exclusion, poverty and discrimination against the elderly. However, older people with their experience and wisdom are significant contribution to any society. Better protection of the rights of older people will enable companies to make better use of the possibilities offered by older people represent. Older people, who have guaranteed social security, bring a positive impact on poverty reduction and dignity of older people, reducing child labor and increased enrollment in schools.
10. Older people are an increasingly powerful group.
Older people are a rapidly growing group and are among the most loyal voting participants. When voting in elections, can have a significant political impact. Governments must address the rights and needs of the elderly or risk losing support this growing group of voters.