UN sets up working group to draft a new human rights convention
We welcome the decision of the UN Human Rights Council to set up an intergovernmental working group to prepare a draft UN convention on the human rights of older persons.
This resolution represents a decisive step towards the adoption of a much-needed legally binding international treaty that strengthens and protects the rights of older persons worldwide. AGE, alongside hundreds of non-governmental organisations worldwide, have been campaigning for a convention to guarantee human rights in old age for many years.
A UN convention on the human rights of older persons would help to close existing protection gaps by obliging states worldwide to take concrete measures.
What is a UN Convention?
Older people still lack dedicated international legal protection for their human rights. Right now, there is no specific UN convention to safeguard our dignity, autonomy, and equality in older age.
This is important to all of us, younger and older generations.
A UN Convention would help:
- Protect older persons from ageism
- Promote dignity and autonomy
- Ensure inclusion in decision-making
- Build #AWorld4AllAges
Quotes
Useful links
- UN Convention explained: 4 key questions answered
- UN Convention: A major step forward for Older People’s Rights may be near
- 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
Contact
