Towards an Effective Legal Protection for Older Persons in the 21st Century: A Comparative Study of International Human Rights Law and Arab Constitutions

Abstract

Background: This study explores legal protections for older people in the 21st century, particularly in the contexts of international human rights laws and Arabic constitutions. While international human rights systems afford implicit protections for senior citizens, the international legal framework is inadequate for addressing their specific rights and challenges. While Arabic constitutions often include general provisions protecting the rights of citizens, they do not explicitly address the rights and legal protection of older people. Methods: This study aims to confront this gap by examining legal frameworks that protect the rights of senior citizens in both international human rights law and Arabic constitutions. Results and Conclusions: The lack of a universally accepted definition for the term ‘older person’ poses a challenge when studying that demographic, as they are a highly heterogeneous group. In a rapidly ageing world, it is essential to develop legal frameworks that specifically address the rights of older people to ensure their dignity and well-being.