Human Rights of older persons in the age of COVID-19 and beyond

A Webinar with
the High Commissioner for Human Rights
and the new Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons

on Tuesday 12 May 2020 at 14:00-15:00 CET – /08:00 am EST

Event supported by members of the Groups of Friends of Older Persons in New York and Geneva

Older persons are at high risk of severe illness and death following infection from COVID-19. In order to curtail these grim outlooks, many countries resorted to adopt a variety of measures, some of which have negatively impacted the rights of older persons.

The Secretary-General’s policy brief on the impact of COVID 19 on older persons issued on 1 May, clearly calls to strengthen the legal frameworks to promote and protect the human rights and dignity of older persons. 

Older persons have the same rights as any other age group, and they should be protected equally during the pandemic.

Have some COVID-19 measures impacted older persons to a larger degree than other groups? Have they taken into account the views of older persons themselves? Have they highlighted the already existing ageism and age-based discrimination?  

Join us in welcoming Ms Claudia Mahler, the new Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons who started her mandate on 1 May 2020.


In this webinar we shall analyze the current situation with the intention of looking forward. 

How can we promote the rights of older persons during these challenging times?

How can we move from debate to action to better promote and protect the human rights of older persons?  

Programme

Speakers: 

Introductory and closing remarks: 

  • Ambassador Milenko Skoknic, Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations in New York, Chair of The Group of Friends of Older Persons, New York
  • Ambassador Sabina Stadler Repnik, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Nations in Geneva, Co-Chair of the Group of Friends of the Rights of Older Persons, Geneva

Resondent: 

  • Peggy Hicks, Director of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, OHCHR

Moderator: 

  • Silvia Perel-Levin, Chair  of the NGO Committee on Ageing, Geneva


The recording of the Webinar is available on our YouTube Channel