Older people’s rights: Recent work of the UN Independent Expert

After a visit to Finland, Claudia Mahler, the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, applauded the country’s commitment and political will to include older persons. However, she called on the Finnish governmeent to make further effort to uphold the human rights of older persons and reflect older persons’ needs in everyday practice. In particular, Finland needs to recognise the diversity of its older population, namely in terms of gender and ethnic backgrounds.

Read the UN expert’s press release

The UN Independent Expert has also recently released two reports on ageism and older women:

• The report on ageism examines and raises awareness of the prevalence of ageism and age discrimination; analyses their possible causes and manifestations; reviews how existing international, regional and national legal frameworks are used to protect against ageism and age-discrimination; and provides recommendations.
• The report on Human rights of older women looks at the intersection between ageing and gender with a focus on the key human rights challenges and concerns of older women.

In March and April 2021, we submitted our contribution to inform the drafting of those reports. Read our positions on:

• the human rights of older women
• Ageism and age discrimination

For more information, you may contact Nena Georgantzi, nena.georgantzi@age-platform.eu