There is an urgent need to strengthen the protection of the human rights of older persons and to address age-based discrimination in Europe. Earlier this year, a joint ENNHRI, AGE Platform Europe and Equinet webinar considered how to do so. A new report summarises the key findings and ways forward. It outlines how to pursue a human rights-based approach to policy and legislation; one where older persons are equal, autonomous rights holders.

The shift required and why it is so important

With Europe’s population ageing, current legal and policy frameworks need reinforcing. The report calls for a shift from a welfare-based model to a robust human rights-based approach, ensuring autonomy, non-discrimination and meaningful participation.

This will only be possible with a comprehensive and inclusive European Union (EU) strategy on age equality; better data collection on age-related discrimination; and further support for the development of a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.

National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), Equality Bodies and civil society have a vital role to play in making this shift by promoting a rights-based approach and tackling age discrimination.

Protecting older persons’ rights, including age equality, is essential for building resilient, inclusive, and just societies. Europe cannot afford for age to be the “missing piece” in its equality puzzle.

Ways forward for strengthening the rights of older persons

To strengthen the protection of older persons’ rights and equality, participants suggested to:

1. Adopt a comprehensive EU strategy on age equality, ensuring that older persons are recognised as rights-holders across all sectors of life.
2. Swiftly adopt the Horizontal Equal Treatment Directive to expand legal protections against age discrimination beyond employment.
3. Implement a rights-based approach in policies addressing the rights of older persons to ensure autonomy, dignity, and participation.
4. Improve disaggregated data collection to better understand and address the needs of older persons, as well as inform inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
5. Integrate an intersectional perspective across all EU equality strategies and initiatives.
6. Promote awareness of and dismantle ageist stereotypes through education, campaigns, and policy reforms.
7. Support the development of a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons as an important tool to uphold human rights and fight discrimination in old age.
8. Enable and protect civil society, NHRIs, and Equality Bodies as essential actors in fighting discrimination and promoting equality and adherence to human rights.
9. Facilitate continued multi-stakeholder dialogue and cooperation at EU, national, and international levels.

More information and background

The webinar brought together over 100 participants from civil society, Equality Bodies, NHRIs, and European and international policymakers.

Read and download the full webinar report.

Learn more about ENNHRI’s work on the rights of older persons.