Key facts
- Negotiations have begun at the UN for a treaty to strengthen the rights of older people.
- The talks, initiated and chaired by Argentina, aim to combat ageism, exclusion, discrimination, and neglect.
- The UN projects the global population over 65 will double in the next 50 years.
- Existing human rights treaties lack specific non-discrimination clauses based on age.
- Campaigners highlight hidden abuses, including in nursing homes, and pervasive ageism in laws and policies.
Negotiations have begun at the United Nations in Geneva for a new treaty aimed at strengthening the rights of older people, as global life expectancy continues to rise. The week-long talks, initiated and chaired by Argentina, seek to address issues of exclusion, discrimination, and neglect faced by the aging population.
Argentina's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Carlos Mario Foradori, stated that the objective is to build an instrument that enhances the dignity, protection, and rights of millions of older persons globally, preparing for future needs as the UN projects the number of people over 65 will double in the next 50 years to become a fifth of the world's population.
Brazil, Slovenia, the Philippines, and Gambia are among the main backers of the proposed treaty, with Chile and South Africa also voicing support. Negotiators are scheduled to meet again in October, though the timeline for agreeing on such a treaty can span years.
Campaigners argue that existing human rights treaties, while offering non-discrimination clauses based on race and gender, lack specific protections for age. Heidrun Mollenkopf, President of AGE Platform Europe, highlighted that current laws do not fully protect older individuals, citing hidden abuses in nursing homes, including the use of chemical restraints and even cases of homicide, without identifying specific incidents.
A 2021 report by a UN-appointed independent expert recommended reforms, noting that ageism is pervasive globally and that deeply embedded stereotypes influence laws and policies. Examples cited by rights groups include mandatory retirement ages and age limits on jury duty. Bridget Sleap, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, called age restrictions arbitrary, questioning the notion that people should stop working simply because of their age.
Informal UN meetings on discrimination against older people have occurred since 2011, but the high proportion of COVID-19 deaths among the elderly and successive heatwaves disproportionately affecting seniors have increased momentum for formal negotiations. Margaret Gillis, founding President of the International Longevity Centre Canada, anticipates challenges, suggesting that autocratic states might try to weaken the treaty, while others may resist due to potential new healthcare costs. Mollenkopf expressed hope that a treaty would be established within her lifetime, but also voiced apprehension that it might not materialize.