Claudia Mahler, the United Nations’ independent expert on the rights of older people, underscored the necessity of shielding this demographic from discrimination, neglect, and abuse.
Mahler emphasized that all nations should pledge their commitment to supporting the human rights of older individuals, as dictated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The UN media center highlighted Mahler’s insistence on the imperative to ensure that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lives up to its promises, commitments it made to all humans, including the elderly, upon its adoption in 1948.
The ongoing demographic shift towards an aging population is not only already occurring but will continue to have profound impacts on societies and human rights for all, elucidated Mahler.
Interestingly, she pointed out that only two of the core human rights treaties explicitly refer to age. Despite the human rights of older persons being encompassed within the fundamental principles outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they remain “largely invisible in international human rights law,” attributed to the non-recognition of age-based discrimination and the absence of explicit prohibition of discrimination based on age.
The increasing demographic shifts towards an aged populace highlight a crucial need for countries globally to enact and enforce policies and regulations that not only protect the elderly but also ensure their rights and dignity are upheld in all aspects of society.
