A Critical Reflection on International Legal Regime in Relation to the Promotion and Protection of the Human Rights of Senior Citizens

ABSTRACT

The global network of laws, regulations, and social norms that make up the international legal framework for the protection of senior citizens rights works to advance and safeguard the rights and welfare of older people everywhere. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights—all of which recognise that all people, including the elderly, have equal and unalienable rights—serve as the foundation for this framework. The rights of older persons are also specifically covered by number of international treaties, including the Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons, the United Nations Principles for Older Persons, and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. These documents address a variety of subjects, including as social security, healthcare, housing, employment, and participation in social and cultural life. Despite the existence of this legal framework, older persons face number of challenges, such as discrimination, social marginalisation, and a lack of access to healthcare and other essential services. This paper focuses upon analysing the existing international framework for protection of senior citizens with the objective of finding the gaps and challenges therein. The paper concludes with suggestions to strengthen the implementation of the international legal regime for the effective protection of the rights of older persons in all aspects of society.

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