An Open Letter to the United Nations General Assembly’s Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing for the Purpose of Strengthening the Protection of the Human Rights of Older Persons (OEWGA)
20th of September 2021
Background
As human rights advocates from different backgrounds and regions of the world, we want a world where we can all age with rights, dignity and respect. The OEWGA can help to make this vision a reality by fulfilling its mandate to consider proposals for an international legal instrument to promote and protect the rights and dignity of older persons and to present to the UN General Assembly a proposal containing the main elements of such instrument.
Since its creation in 2010, the OEWGA has held 11 working sessions. Throughout these discussions, the OEWGA has seen a wealth of evidence confirming the glaring deficiencies in the international human rights system as it relates to the human rights of older persons. This material has been presented by older persons themselves, experts from the UN system, civil society organizations, academia, governments, and national human rights institutions, who are also calling for the adoption of a convention to address these shortcomings.
The study launched by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the 11th session confirms that the development of more specific norms and standards within a new dedicated international instrument is required to ensure that no older person, regardless of circumstance, is left behind.
Despite this evidence in support of a UN convention and the further impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OEWGA has made little concrete progress towards identifying the elements of a possible new instrument and has not yet fulfilled its mandate in this regard. While there are many Member States which have actively supported a convention, the lack of consensus has prevented clear outcomes from the OEWGA.
While we recognize the importance of consensus and the need to continue to build this in the OEWGA, we also note that 146 States formally supported the Secretary General’s Policy Brief on the impact of COVID-19 on older persons and committed to fully promoting and respecting the dignity and rights of older persons. This is a strong foundation from which the OEWGA must now seek to move forward.
A new UN convention would explicitly and unambiguously recognize older persons as rights holders and strengthen our understanding of human rights in older age. It would provide valuable guidance for governments and others to ensure that age discrimination is prohibited in the law, services uphold the dignity of older persons, and attitudes and behaviors towards older persons are respectful.
The OEWGA Bureau, chaired by the Permanent Mission of Argentina since the OEWGA’s first session, is in a pivotal position to drive progress in this work. Thus, we call on the Bureau to take concrete steps to progress the work of the OEWGA in the inter-sessional period between the 11th and 12th sessions of OEWGA and we call on Member States to support the Bureau in taking those steps.
Recommendations for next steps
We support the proposal made by Argentina in the 11th session to establish an inter-sessional group to advance the work of the OEWGA. This group should be composed of experts from member states, civil society organizations, and national human rights institutions, with the involvement of the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons as well as other relevant experts among the UN human rights mechanisms and special procedures mandate holders. This group should be tasked to commence the drafting of the main normative elements of an international legal instrument during the inter-sessional period.
We believe that the OEWGA will greatly benefit from commencing the drafting of a proposed binding instrument without delay in an open and inclusive platform that places the participation of older persons, their knowledge, expertise and experiences at the centre of discussions.
The 12th session of OEWGA presents the Bureau with opportunities to take concrete steps. To advance a critical discussion of the adequacy of the normative framework of the international human rights system and its implementation mechanisms for the promotion and protection of the rights of older persons, the Bureau should include in the agenda of the 12th session a substantive discussion of the OHCHR’s analytical paper. Also, in moving forward, the Bureau should present a proposal containing a program and the modalities for the drafting of a new instrument to start no later than six months after 12th session of OEWGA.
We call on the Bureau to take up these recommendations and urge Member States, particularly the members of the Group of Friends of Older Persons, to engage actively in with the process to bring about these outcomes.
It has been a decade since the OEWGA commenced its work. The need to fulfill the OEWGA’s mandate has never been more urgent if we want to build the just and equal world we need for older persons today and for all generations to come.
We submit this open letter to the Bureau and to Member States of the UN as an expression of our steadfast commitment to assist in the fulfillment of OEWGA’s mandate. In this inter-sessional period leading to the 12th session of OEWGA, we will continue to seek and build opportunities for formal and informal spaces for constructive discourse, including following up on these recommendations and call to action.
Signatories
(by country or country of HQ)
Albania
1. ASAG-Albanian Society for All Ages
Argentina
2. INPEA – Argentina
Australia
3. Advocare Incorporated
4. Capacity Australia
5. Community Legal Centres Australia
6. Elder Abuse Action Australia
7. International Longevity Centre Australia
8. LGBTIQ+ Health Australia
9. National Older Women's Network Inc.
10. NSW Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing
11. Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)
12. Seniors Rights Service
13. The Senior Agenda Inc.
Bangladesh
14. HelpAge International
15. Resource Integration Center RIC
16. Sir William Beveridge Foundation
17. UTTHAN (Unprivileged To The Humanitarian Action Need)
18. Young Power in Social Action (YPSA)
Barbados
19. Barbados Association of Retired Persons
Belarus
20. Public Union of Belarusian pensioners "Nasha Pakalenne"
Belgium
21. AGE Platform Europe
22. Entr'âges
23. S-Plus
24. Unia (Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities)
25. Vlaamse Ouderenraad vzw
Belize
26. HelpAge
Brazil
27. Instituto Qualivida
Cameroon
28. ACAMAGE
29. Ageing and Health Cameroon Association
30. Association pour la diffusion des droits humains aux peuples autochtones (Humanitarian Law Agency)
31. Nehelp Cameroon
Canada
32. Active Aging Canada
33. Age Knowble
34. Business Launch Solutions
35. Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry
36. Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health
37. Canadian Geriatrics Society
38. Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA)
39. Council of Senior Citizens Organizations of British Columbia FAO
40. FAO
41. Fountain of Health Association
42. Grandmothers Advocacy Network
43. Health Promotion Canada
44. Institute of ethno-gerontology-Toronto, Canada
45. INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION ON AGEING
46. International Longevity Centre Canada
47. LoveSong Housing
48. National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE)
49. Ontario Association of Councils on Ageing
50. Pass It On Network
Congo
51. Association Amitié Seniors et Jeunes
Costa Rica
52. AGECO
Czech Republic
53. CELLO ILC
Dominican Republic
54. ILC-DR
Finland
55. Svenska pensionärsförbundet
France
56. FIAPA
57. OLD'UP
58. International Inner Wheel
59. International Longevity Center- France ( ILC-France)
60. 2Y2R Too Young to Retire - Pass It On Network
Georgia
61. The Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia
Germany
62. BAGSO - Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Seniorenorganisationen
63. German Institute for Human Rights
64. HelpAge Deutschland
Greece
65. ANTAMA
66. 50plus Hellas
Iceland
67. U3A Reykjavík
India
68. Ashakiran JHC Hospital
69. Association for Social Solidarity and Empowerment Training Trust
70. DadiDada Foundation
71. Federation of senior citizens’ associations of Tamilnadu
72. FREMSS ODISHA
73. Gharonda
74. Govt KNM Arts and Science College, Kanjiramkulam Trivandrum
75. GRAVIS
76. Indian Society of U3As
77. International Association for Religious Freedom Co-ordination Council for South Asia
78. International Longevity Centre India
79. JSS Medical College and Hospital, JSSAHER, Mysore
80. NIMHANS
81. Society for Serving Seniors
Iraq
82. Wasit Health Organization
Israel
83. ILC – Israel
84. The Association of Law in the Service of the Elderly
Italy
85. ANAP - Confartigianato
86. Anziani e non solo soc. coop. soc.
87. ATDAL OVER 40
88. International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations (ISMUN)
89. MOVIMENTO GIOTTO
90. TAM telefono anziani maltrattati
91. 50&Più
Japan
92. Japan Support Center for Activity and Research for Older Persons
Kenya
93. Ageing Concern Foundation (ACF)
94. KARIKA AGEING & HIV/ AIDS PROGRAMME
Liberia
95. Liberian Association of Retired Persons
96. National Senior citizens Organization of Liberia
97. National Old Folks of Liberia
Malaysia
98. World Silambam Association (WSA)
99. World Yoga Association
100. Silambam Asia
Malta
101. University of Malta
Mauritius
102. Agalega Island Council
103. Halley Movement Coalition
104. Droits Humains Ocean Indien (Dis-Moi)
105. Dis-Moi, Rodrigues
Myanmar
106. Myanmar National Human Rights Commission
Nepal
107. Senior Citizens Welfare Association
Netherlands
108. JNF50PLUS Foundation
109. Older Women’s Network, the Netherlands
110. Stichting Mission Lanka
New Zealand
111. Fantsuam Foundation
112. New Zealand Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapists Incorporated
Nigeria
113. agenigeriafoundation
114. Alternative Health care Initiative
115. Azar Initiative Empowerment for the Less Privileged
116. EL-AGED CARE LTD/GTE
117. Sound Health Development Initiative(SHIN)
118. Universal Peace and Violence Amelioration Centre
Philippines
119. Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE)
120. Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines
Poland
121. Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Poland
122. ELELEOS Prawosławny O?rodek Miłosierdzia
123. Fundacja DOM
124. Fundacja Ukryte Skrzydła
125. Foundation Center for Initiatives for Society
126. Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights
127. KSP2050 Białystok
128. Miejska Rada Seniorów w Sejnach
129. Miejska Rada Seniorów w Sokółce
130. Ogólnopolska Federacja Stowarzysze? Uniwersytetów III Wieku
131. O?rodek Wspierania Organizacji Pozarz?dowych
132. Podlaska Redakcja Seniora
133. Polska 2050
134. Polski Zwi?zek Emerytów Rencistów i Inwalidów w Białymstoku, Koło nr 15 w Choroszczy.
135. Polski Zwi?zek Emerytów, Rencistów i Inwalidów Oddział Okr?gowy w Białymstoku
136. Rada Seniorów Miasta Augustowa
137. Rada Seniorów w D?browie Białostockiej
138. Rada Seniorów Gminy Czarna Białostocka
139. Rada Seniorów Gminy Podgórzyn
140. Rada Seniorów Gminy Supra?l
141. Rada Seniorów Reda
142. Rada Seniorów przy Marszałku Województwa Podlaskiego
143. Stowarzyszenie mali bracia Ubogich
144. Stowarzyszenie Podlascy Seniorzy
145. Stowarzyszenie Szukamy Polski
146. Stowarzyszenie UTW w Augustowie
147. Stowarzyszenie Uniwersytet Trzeciego Wieku w Sokółce
148. ?wi?tokrzyski Uniwersytet Trzeciego Wieku
149. Towarzystwo Inicjatyw Twórczych „?”
150. UMK Toru?
151. Warszawska Rada Seniorów
152. WRZOS
153. Wydział Nauk Politycznych i Studiów Mi?dzynarodowych, Uniwersytet Warszawski
154. Zwi?zek Tatarów Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej Oddział Bohoniki
Portugal
155. APRe!
156. Sociedade Portuguesa de Psiquiatria e Saúde Mental (Secção de Psiquiatria Geriátrica)
Serbia
157. The Protector of Citizens of the Republic of Serbia
Slovakia
158. Slovak National Centre for Human Rights
Russia
159. Primorsky region veteran Fund "Soldier"
160. Regional Public Foundation Assistance for the Elderly Dobroe Delo
Rwanda
161. NSINDAGIZA
Slovenia
162. Slovenian Federation of Pensioners' Associations
Somalia
163. African Relief Development Initiative (ARDI)
164. Somali HelpAge Association
South Africa
165. International Longevity Centre - South Africa
South Korea
166. HelpAge Korea
Spain
167. Confederación Española de Organizaciones de Mayores (CEOMA)
168. Fundacion 26 de Diciembre
169. Grupo Servicios Sociales Integrados (Grupo SSI)
170. HelpAge España
Switzerland
171. Alzheimer Switzerland
172. dream plan live it coaching
173. FAAG - Fondation pour la formation des aînées et des aînées de Genève
174. Greycells. Association of Former International Civil Servants for Development
175. NGO Committee on Ageing, Geneva
176. Union for International Cancer Control
177. WPA Section of Old Age Psychiatry
Tanzania
178. CSYM HUDUMA*
Thailand
179. National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT)
Timor -Leste
180. Provedor de Direitos Humanos e Justiça (Provedor for Human Rights and Justice)
Togo
181. NGO: ADET
Turkey
182. Türkiye emekliler derne?i
Uganda
183. Community Restoration Initiative Project
Ukraine
184. D. F. Chebotarev Institute of Gerontology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine
United Kingdom
185. Alzheimer's Disease International
186. HelpAge International
187. OLDALONE UK
188. Soroptimist International GBI
189. Soroptimist International
190. Age International
United States of America
191. AARP
192. Active Aging Consortium Asia Pacific
193. Alzheimer Association
194. Amer. Assoc of Family and Consumer Sciences
195. CHANGING THE NARRATIVE
196. Community Networks for Aging in Place Alliance
197. Dementia Alliance International
198. Duluth Aging Support
199. Encore Network
200. Global Action on Aging
201. Global Ageing Network, DBA International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing (IAHSA)
202. Gray Panthers
203. Human Rights Watch
204. International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care
205. International Association if Gerontology and Geriatrics
206. International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
207. International Society on Aging and Disease
208. Long Term Care Community Coalition
209. New Aspect Coaching
210. PAHO/WHO Association of Former Staff
211. Sisters of Charity Federation
212. The Dayton Foundation Del Mar Encore Fellows Initiative UNANIMA International
213. United Methodist Church-General Board of Church and Society
214. United Nations Association - Orange County
215. Wisdom of Age
216. Word of Life International Inc
Venezuela
217. Convite AC
Zambia
218. Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias In Zambia -ADDIZ
219. Senior Citizens Association of Zambia
220. Support To Older People-Zambia
221. Zambian Center for Poverty Reduction and Research Limited
Zimbabwe
222. HelpAge Zimbabwe
223. Foundation Activus
