DHC opens expert meeting on violence, abuse and neglect of older persons

Your Excellencies,
Distinguished panellists,
Dear participants,

I am pleased to welcome you to this expert meeting on the human rights obligations of States regarding violence against, abuse and neglect of older persons. A timely discussion, as we mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15th.

The world is witnessing a profound demographic shift, with the proportion of older persons, currently at nine per cent, expected to rise to 12 per cent in 2030 and 16 per cent in 2050. According to the UNDESA 2022 World Population Prospects, in 2050, people aged 65 or over will represent around a quarter of the population in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, Europe and Northern America, and 19 per cent in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Many of you - representatives of Member States, civil society organisations, national human rights institutions, academia, and colleagues across the UN—have all strived to push the envelope regarding the rights of older persons. After fourteen years of deliberations, these efforts resulted in an agreement reached at the last session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing, transmitted by the facilitators to the President of the General Assembly. Work now needs to be done to address the gaps identified in terms of legal framework and protection of the rights of older persons.

This is critical as ageism is rampant and pervasive. Akin to any form of discrimination, it can lead toviolence against, abuse and neglect of older persons, especially those experiencing intersectional discrimination. These are at a high risk of economic insecurity, leading too often to extreme dependence and potential abuse. Older women are particularly vulnerable; they often live in poverty and face difficulties in accessing their human rights, including to health, food, and housing due to lifelong income disparities and caregiving responsibilities. This lack of economic autonomy, coupled with longer life expectancy and entrenched gender roles, increases their vulnerability, making them more susceptible to violence, abuse, and neglect.

According to WHO estimates, one in six people over 60 years of age suffers from abuse. That means nearly 141 million people globally. This number may be much higher as neglect, abuse and violence of older people are among the most hidden violations of human rights. Currently, there is a serious gap in the data available to capture the lived realities of older persons. This is, in itself, an alarming sign of exclusion and renders meaningful policymaking and normative action practically impossible. Collecting detailed and accurate data is essential for developing targeted interventions and policies to protect older persons from abuse and violence.

Urgent action is needed to enhance awareness of and address such exclusion. We have identified the Human Rights Economy as an approach where economic policies, investment, and business decisions as well as consumer choices are made in accordance with human rights guardrails. For example, in the care and support economy we treat those under care and providing support as rights holders and promote their agency.

Our Office has also been working in close collaboration with all of you and providing support to the Open-Ended Working Group together with UNDESA. We are in the process of enhancing our engagement and dedicated capacity to strengthen our normative work, support our field presences and work closely with Governments and other partners through the provision of technical support.

I call on all stakeholders to work together with our Office and reiterate the importance of a stronger global commitment to develop a comprehensive international legal instrument on the rights of older people.

I wish you fruitful deliberations.

Thank you.