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IACHR
Press Release
IACHR urges OAS member states to sign and ratify the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Older Persons
December 14, 2018
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Washington, D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) held
on December 6, 2018,
during its 170th Period of Sessions, a public hearing on the "Human
Rights of Older Persons: Inter-American Convention and Follow-up
Mechanism," requested by the State of Uruguay, and urged OAS member
states to sign and ratify the Convention for the Protection of the
Rights of Older Persons approved by the General Assembly on June 15,
2015.
The objective of the Convention is to promote, protect and ensure
the recognition and full and equal enjoyment and exercise of all
human rights and fundamental freedoms of older persons, in order to
contribute to their full inclusion, integration and participation in
society. The Convention also establishes the possibility for
individuals to submit complaints to the Inter-American Commission on
Human Rights (IACHR) about alleged violations of the human rights of
older persons recognized in this instrument. Likewise, the
possibility for the States Parties to formulate consultations with
the IACHR in matters related to its effective application, as well
as to request advice and technical cooperation from the IACHR to
ensure the effective application of any of the provisions set forth
therein.
The Convention is the first regional instrument to specifically
protect the rights of older persons. To date 6 countries in the
region have ratified the Convention - Argentina, Bolivia, Chile,
Costa Rica, El Salvador and Uruguay. The Convention has been in
force since January 11, 2017 and provides for an integrated
follow-up mechanism composed of a Conference of States Parties and a
Committee of Experts, which will be formed once the tenth instrument
of accession or ratification has been received. The IACHR recognizes
that the full enjoyment of all the rights, guarantees and mechanisms
provided for in the instrument is of fundamental importance for the
protection of the human rights of older persons in the region.
The Commission in charge of the Elderly Persons Unit of the IACHR,
Flávia Piovesan, emphasizes that "it is essential to disseminate and
promote the Convention and the new paradigm introduced by it, the
fight against age discrimination, eradicating prejudices, stigmas
and stereotypes that hinder the full exercise of the rights of older
persons. In this regard, the Commissioner adds: "we call on OAS
member states to express their commitment to the rights of older
persons by signing and ratifying the Convention for the Protection
of their Rights".
The IACHR urges all OAS member states to sign and ratify the
Convention for the Protection of the Rights of Older Persons as part
of efforts to universalize the inter-American human rights system so
that all treaties and conventions protect all persons in the region.
The IACHR also urges States to adopt measures to foster a positive
and inclusive attitude toward old age and dignified, respectful, and
considerate treatment of the elderly and, on the basis of a culture
of peace, to promote actions to disseminate, promote the rights and
empowerment of the elderly, as well as to avoid stereotyped language
and images about old age. Likewise, to promote the recognition of
experience, wisdom, productivity and the contribution to development
that older persons make to society as a whole. The IACHR recalls
that countries must design urgent strategies to deal with the
consequences of population ageing, with a focus on the autonomy and
independence of older people and the elimination of welfare
approaches. In this regard, it is essential that States adopt urgent
measures to prevent violence and discrimination against older
persons.
The issue of older persons was prioritized in the Strategic Plan
of the IACHR 2017-2021 and in May 2017 was created the Unit on the
Rights of the Elderly Commission. The Unit is working to identify
synergies in order to advance the construction of inter-American
standards in this area, the promotion of the human rights of older
persons and the ratification and implementation of the
Inter-American Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, the
development of new working mechanisms, and to make the situation of
this population group visible through the mechanisms of the
Commission.
The IACHR also recalls that a public consultation is open until January 31, 2018 to prepare a thematic report on national systems for the protection of the rights of older persons in the Americas. The questionnaire seeks to receive information on the situation of people in the region and on the challenges and good practices of OAS member states in recognizing and effectively guaranteeing the rights of older people.
A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
No. 268/18