Event information

27 May 2020, 15:00-16:30

Protecting the Rights of Older Persons During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Right On

The elderly are amongst the most affected groups by COVID-19. Not only do they face a higher threat to their rights to life and health, but also prevention and response-related decisions can deepen their social isolation. Unless their voices and views are taken into account, their ability to exercise their autonomy and rights might be compromised.

The social perception that COVID-19 is a disease that impacts the elderly exacerbates negative stereotypes about older persons who may be viewed as weak, unimportant and a burden on society. Such age-based discrimination may manifest in the provision of services because the treatment of older persons may be perceived as less important than the treatment of younger generations. Stigma and discrimination can be further aggravated in a context where older persons have been frequently overlooked in development and humanitarian strategies, and in their funding.

Considering the higher risks confronted by older persons in the COVID-19 pandemic, development and humanitarian strategies must explicitly identify and consider their needs, challenges and strengths at all levels and in all settings.

Join us online to discuss the protection of the rights of older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moderator

  • Alfonso Barragues, Deputy Director, UNFPA’s Liaison Office in Geneva

Panelists

  • Nena Georgantzi, Policy Coordinator Human Rights and Non-Discrimination, AGE Platform Europe
  • Rio Hada, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Claudia Mahler, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons
  • Silvia Perel-Levin, Chair, NGO Committee on Ageing in Geneva and Representative to the UN, International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA)
  • Bridget Sleap, Senior Rights Policy Adviser, HelpAge International

Registration

To join the discussion, you need to register here.

‘Right On’: The Wednesday Web Chat

‘Right On’ is a new digital initiative – co-organized by the Geneva Academy, the Geneva Human Rights Platform, the Geneva Internet Platform, the DiploFoundation, the Universal Right Group, the Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex, as well as the Permanent Missions of Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands to the United Nations in Geneva  –  that will keep the human rights dialogue going during these COVID-19 times.

Every Wednesday at 15:00, experts and practitioners will discuss key human rights issues related to the current health crisis.

Video

Right On: Protecting the Rights of Older Persons During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In this online event of the ‘Right On’ digital initiative, panelists discussed the eldery during COVID-19 and how the disease exacerbates negative stereotypes about older persons who may be viewed as weak, unimportant and a burden on society.

Right On Partners Updated

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

News

In Highlight: The National Recommendations Tracking Database (NRTD)

15 December 2023

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the December highlight of the directory: The National Recommendations Tracking Database (NRTD).

Read more

Keyboard with helpdesk News

New Paper Discusses the Establishment of a Global Helpdesk on Business and Human Rights

11 December 2023

Our new Research Brief discusses the proposal to establish a global helpdesk on business and human rights at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Read more

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

2-20 September 2024

Participants in this training course, made of two modules, will examine the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights and the environment, familiarizing themselves with the respective implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

First annual conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform Project

The Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

Started in June 2019

Read more

Session of the UN Human Rights Committee Project

Treaty Body Review 2020 and Beyond

Started in January 2018

The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributes to this review process by providing expert input via different avenues, by facilitating dialogue on the review among various stakeholders, as well as by accompanying the development of a follow-up resolution to 68/268 in New York and in Geneva.

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Unpacking the Climate Migration Extremism Nexus Mapping the Coping Strategies of Kenyan Pastorialists

published on April 2024

Erica Harper, Yosuke Nagai

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Unpacking the Burgeoning Challenge of Environmental Protection and the Right to Food in the Context of Armed Conflict

published on April 2024

Erica Harper, Junli Lim

Read more