AGE contributes to key report on fighting age-based discrimination, authored by Andrea Eder-Gitschthaler (Austria, EPP/CD), that was adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted on 31 January 2025 the report titled “Overcoming Age-Based Discrimination Against Older Persons“, authored by Andrea Eder-Gitschthaler (Austria, Group of the European People’s Party).
PACE urged member states to take concrete measures to combat age-based discrimination, emphasizing that human rights should not diminish with age and calling for “a human rights-based approach” to ageing.
In its resolution the Assembly, which brings together members of national parliaments from all countries of the Council of Europe, highlighted that many legal frameworks fail to provide the same level of protection against age-based discrimination as they do for other forms of discrimination, calling for urgent reforms. The Assembly urged governments to promote intergenerational solidarity, ensure equal access to digital technologies, and combat age-related stereotypes through education and awareness campaigns.
“Older persons should have the rights, resources, and facilities to remain full members of society".
In its recommendations, PACE urged the Committee of Ministers to review the implementation of the 2014 Recommendation (CM/Rec(2014)2) on the rights of older persons, identify existing gaps, and explore the feasibility of a European legal instrument to protect the human rights of older persons. Additionally, it called for a new recommendation on preventing and combating ageism and encouraged active participation in ongoing discussions on developing an international legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons.
AGE, which contributed to the report’s elaboration, warmly welcomes its findings and recommendations. These highlight the urgent need for stronger action at the European level to combat discrimination in old age.
We look forward to continued collaboration with Council of Europe bodies to raise awareness of ageism, advocate for policy changes, and support the implementation of PACE’s resolution.
Useful links
- Let’s make 2025 the year we start drafting a UN convention for equal rights in old age!
- Historic development: UN States recommend a UN convention to better protect rights in old age
- United Nations’ working group on ageing recommends binding instrument to protect older people’s rights
- Equal rights for all ages: AGE contribution to UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing
- The EU leads the rallying for a UN Convention
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