At a United Nations meeting this week, calls were made to end ageism and ensure better protection against hidden abuses as negotiations began on the first international treaty addressing the rights of older people. The week-long negotiations in Geneva, which concluded on July 17, were initiated and led by Argentina. Their aim is to combat exclusion, discrimination, and neglect amid rising life expectancy.
The UN predicts that the number of people over 65 will double in the next 50 years, making up one-fifth of the world’s population. “Our goal is not only to meet the needs of today but also to prepare a system that can meet the needs of the future,” said Carlos Mario Foradori, Argentina’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva. He added that the focus is on creating an international instrument that will enhance the dignity, protection, and rights of millions of older people worldwide.
The main supporters of the proposed treaty include Brazil, Slovenia, the Philippines, and Gambia. Countries such as Chile and South Africa also expressed support during the negotiations. Negotiators are scheduled to reconvene in Geneva in October, though it remains unclear how long the process will take, as agreeing on such treaties can take years.
Hidden abuses and gaps in protection
While there are existing international human rights treaties that prohibit discrimination based on race or gender, there is currently no separate treaty specifically protecting against age discrimination. “There are many situations where people are not fully protected by existing legislation,” said Heidrun Mollenkopf, president of AGE Platform Europe, a network of organizations representing older people. She told Reuters that abuses in nursing homes by caregivers, including the use of sedatives to control the behavior of individuals with dementia, remain “completely hidden.” According to her, there have even been cases of murder.
The UN-appointed independent expert on the human rights of older people recommended reforms in a 2021 report, stating that ageism is widespread globally and that deeply rooted stereotypes about age impact laws and government policies. Human rights groups highlight examples such as mandatory retirement ages, age limits for jury participation, and reductions in cancer screening programs for older individuals. “There are age limits that remain completely unchallenged,” said Bridget Sleap, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The idea that people should just stop working because of their birthday is arbitrary.”
Growing pressure and future challenges
Informal UN meetings on combating discrimination against older people have been held since 2011, but activists say the high proportion of COVID-19 deaths among older individuals has intensified the push for official negotiations. A series of heat waves in Europe, which disproportionately affected older people and prompted some governments to introduce additional support measures, has also increased pressure, activists note.
Margaret Gillis (67), founder and president of International Longevity Centre Canada, anticipates “a struggle.” She noted that authoritarian states may attempt to weaken the treaty, while other countries may resist due to concerns about additional healthcare costs. Heidrun Mollenkopf, who is 85, expressed hope that she will see the treaty adopted in her lifetime, although she fears it may not happen.
Source: The Straits Times
