Older Persons

When older persons are the target population of ESC rights projects, human rights defenders should pay close attention to their particular needs for:

1. adequate retirement pensions that allow them to meet food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare needs;
2. lifelong appropriate educational and training programs that take due account of socioeconomic and technological changes and culture; and
3. safe and non-exploitative environments that are free from physical and mental abuse.

The following case summary illustrates how human rights defenders have used the ESC rights approach to promote and protect the rights of older persons:

• Project Stakeholders Oppose World Bank ESC Rights Violations
• Shantistar Builders v. Narayan Khimali Tatome and Others Case Summary
• Amilcar Menéndez, Juan Manuel Caride y otros Case Summary

Some initial resources available for ESC rights defenders seeking to fully protect and promote the rights of older person are:

• Recommendation Concerning Older Workers
• Proclamation on Aging
• U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights General Comment Number 6
• Invalidity, Old-Age and Survivors’ Benefits Convention