The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) joins its fellow national human rights institutions (NHRIs), civil society, and elderly rights advocates in the calls for a United Nations (UN) Convention on the rights of older persons.
This week, 27 February to 05 March 2023, as we once again invite everyone to participate in the #AgeWithRights Global Rally, CHR Commissioner Beda A. Epres—focal commissioner for older persons’ human rights—emphasises the urgency of drafting an international legal instrument for the protection and promotion of elderly rights. Relevant to the upcoming 13th session of the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA), Commissioner Epres says, “We cannot stress enough how a convention will immensely contribute to the improvement of the lives of older persons in the present and future generations. A convention will define the specific human rights of older persons and the corresponding obligations by duty-bearers.”
In accordance with our mandate as watchdog, monitor, advocate, and educator of the government with respect to human rights, CHR underscores the need for additional report and accountability mechanisms which ensure the respect and fulfillment of the rights of older persons.
While the Commission continues to support existing and proposed domestic policies and laws promoting the welfare of older people in the Philippines, such as the Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens, the existence of a UN convention on the rights of older persons will serve to further guide policymakers and concerned agencies to better frame government programs and services that cater to older citizens.
We likewise note the specific, persisting issues faced by the older generation. In our inputs on the report to the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights by Older Persons in 2020,[1] CHR outlined various issues faced by older people in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. These primarily include matters relating to economic, social and cultural rights such as inadequate social protection; lack of access to health services; absence of employment opportunities; and poor standard of living. Similarly, as Gender Ombud, CHR also forwarded its inputs to the UN for the 2021 thematic report on the human rights of older women. Therein, CHR detailed gender-based discrimination and inequalities experienced by older Filipino women.[2]
Given these prevalent challenges, CHR urges the government to unite with communities and civic society, and to express its support for the development of an international instrument for the dignity and rights of older persons. CHR reiterates that a UN Convention on the rights of older persons will help facilitate finding human rights-based solutions and promote the exchange of learnings among State Members.
“Ageing is a universal experience, and so we must all work together toward a society where all older persons live dignified lives, a society free of discrimination and where everyone will age with rights,” adds Commissioner Epres.
CHR looks forward to the conclusion of the 13th session of OEWGA and seeing concrete actions adopted toward this end. For its part, we shall maintain our work in the promotion and protection of rights of older persons through local and global engagements to ensure that all people #AgeWithRights. ###
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[1] Inputs of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines to the Report to the General Assembly of the United Nations Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights by Older Persons. 5 June 2020.
[2] Inputs of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines on the Human Rights of Older Women. 30 April 2021.