UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing holds fourth session on human rights of older persons

The fourth working session of the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA) was held in New York between 12 and 15 August 2013. The OEWGA, which is made up of all UN member states, was established by the General Assembly in December 2010 to discuss the possibility of a new human rights instrument dedicated to older people's rights.  The working group considered the existing human rights of older persons international framework, how to address identified gaps and the feasibility of further instruments and measures.

Non-governmental organisations such as the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) called for the establishment of a single "United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons" which would include "the right to freedom from violence and abuse" among eleven other possible rights.  

Establishment of a legally binding global human rights instrument would aim to address gaps in existing instruments and consolidate non-binding human rights documents such as the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) General Recommendation No.27 on human rights of older women.  The document, "Strengthening Older People's Rights: Towards a UN Convention" produced by a coalition of NGOs in the ageing field, outlines the argument for the establishment of a convention.

See the The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) Facebook page for posts direct from the working group sessions at the UN.

In New Zealand, this year's Age Concern annual forum focused on Elder Abuse and Neglect. The forum, held in Wellington in early August, discussed Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention service philosophy and practice guidelines, balancing consumer rights and duty of care, police domestic violence protocols, hoarding, self-neglect and ethical decision making, education for support workers and scams.

Age Concern New Zealand Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention National Advisor said "elder abuse and neglect prevention is a specialist area and the intensive training and knowledge staff would gain at the forum was invaluable".

This year marks 20 years of Age Concern New Zealand service provision.