Human rights do not diminish with age

Monday, 10 December 2018 is the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations (UN) International Human Rights Day.  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets out the fundamental human rights that are to be universally protected – but these rights are not necessarily upheld for older persons (learn more from the 2018 report by the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons).

The IFA has general consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and has been deeply involved in the drafting of key initiatives at the UN, perhaps most notably, the UN Principles of Older Persons, and also advocated vigorously for older persons to be recognized in the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Recently, the IFA and its representatives have been vocal towards the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on Ageing.  The OEWG is now a part of the official UN calendar, with the upcoming 10th Session taking place from 15-18 April 2019 in New York.  Until then, it will remain unclear whether UN Member States are truly moving towards drafting an international, legally binding instrument to protect and promote the rights of older persons.

What more can be done to protect the rights of older persons?

Ask IFA Expert Craig Mokhiber, who is an international human rights lawyer and activist. He has decades of experience with the UN and is currently the Director of Chief of Development, Economic and Social Issues for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in New York.