The Rights of Older Persons and the Need for a New Convention

Abstract

. Issues regarding the rights of older persons are not new, however they have been traditionally dealt with in a piecemeal and reactive manner as opposed to a proactive and holistic manner. Thus, with the increasing prominence of human rights and its application to deal with issues surrounding other vulnerable and disadvantaged groups such as persons with disability, minorities, women and migrant workers there is a need to use this same approach to address problems facing older persons. A question that can be asked is why there is a renewed interest in the rights of older persons. The answer to this question lies to the rapid demographic changes taking place, which has necessitated renewed interest in the human rights of older persons. An increase in the population of older persons will have a human rights effect since it will expose them to more abuses and discrimination, which will eventually force governments and society to respond. Strengthening the rights of older persons is the best response to these challenges, hence, a UN convention on the rights of older persons.