The Human Rights of Older Persons

A/HRC/RES/33/5No PDF available

Who created this mandate?

A Resolution of the General Assembly, under agenda item 3Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development, published in 2016.

What other versions does this mandate have?

6 versions · 2012–2025

This is an older version — the most recent is A/HRC/RES/60/11

2025A/HRC/RES/60/11The human rights of older personsLatestCompare with previous version
2022A/HRC/RES/51/4The human rights of older personsCompare with previous version
2019A/HRC/RES/42/12The human rights of older personsCompare with previous version
2016A/HRC/RES/33/5The human rights of older personsCompare with previous version
2013A/HRC/RES/24/20The human rights of older personsCompare with previous version

Versions are identified automatically by matching titles within the same organ (~97% accuracy on a manual audit).

What subjects does this mandate have?

6 topics

Ageing Persons Anti-Discrimination Measures Care of Ageing Persons Experts Human Rights Social Security

What does this mandate say?

20 operative paragraphs

Recognizes that older persons face a number of particular challenges in the enjoyment of their human rights that need to be addressed urgently, including in the areas of prevention of and protection against violence and abuse, social protection, food and housing, right to work, equality and non-discrimination, access to justice, education, training, health support, long-term and palliative care, lifelong learning, participation and accessibility;

Emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, all-encompassing approach to the care of older persons, which should be sustainable and based on human rights, and the need for coordination among sectors, policies, institutions, regional and local governments throughout the continuum of care, from prevention, promotion, rehabilitation to long-term and palliative care, including social care and other community services;

Recalls the need to combat the various forms of violence against older persons, a widespread phenomenon that includes discrimination in the public sphere, linguistic and employment discrimination, lack of access, isolation, neglect, financial exploitation, physical and psychological violence and the withholding of basic needs, and physical attacks;

Reiterates that poverty and lack of income security constitute major concerns for many older persons, and that information and advisory services on social security payments, pensions and retirement planning contribute to preventing old-age poverty and reducing the risk-of-poverty rate, vulnerability and social exclusion;

Emphasizes that consultation with older persons is essential in the formulation and adoption of legislation and policies relating to their specific needs and concerns;

Decides to extend the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons for a period of three years:

To continue to assess the implementation of national, regional and international standards relevant to the rights of older persons and to identify, exchange and promote best practices relating to the promotion and protection of these rights;

To report on developments, challenges and protection gaps in the realization of the rights of older persons, including as input to the work of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing, and to make recommendations to the Human Rights Council in this regard;

To gather, request, receive and exchange information and communications from and with States and other relevant sources, including older persons, their representative organizations and other civil society organizations, on violations of the rights of older persons;

To conduct, facilitate and support the provision of advisory services, technical assistance, capacity-building and international cooperation in support of national efforts for the effective realization of the rights of older persons;

To raise awareness of the challenges faced in the realization of the human rights of older persons and of the positive contribution of older persons to society, and to provide them with information about their rights;

To engage in dialogue and to consult with States and other relevant stakeholders, including United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, regional human rights mechanisms, national human rights institutions, older persons, civil society organizations and academic institutions;

To work in cooperation with States, assisting them when requested, in order to foster the implementation of measures that contribute to the promotion and protection of the rights of older persons;

To integrate a gender and disability perspective throughout the work of the mandate, and to address multiple, intersecting and aggravated forms of discrimination faced by older persons;

To work in close coordination, while avoiding unnecessary duplication, with the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing, other special procedures and subsidiary organs of the Human Rights Council, relevant United Nations bodies and the treaty bodies;

Requests all Governments to cooperate with the Independent Expert, and invites them to provide the mandate holder with all necessary information relating to the mandate;

Encourages all relevant stakeholders, including United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, human rights mechanisms, national human rights institutions and civil society, and invites the private sector, donors and development agencies, to cooperate fully with the Independent Expert to enable the mandate holder to fulfil the mandate;

Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the reports of the Independent Expert are brought to the attention of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing, in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of General Assembly resolution 67/139 of 20 December 2012;

Requests the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide the Independent Expert with all the human, technical and financial resources necessary for the effective fulfilment of the mandate;

Decides to remain seized of the matter.

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