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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
The Americas Becomes First Region in the World to Have an Instrument for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Older Persons
By OAS
Jun 16, 2015 - 12:13:34 AM
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The member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) today approved theInter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of
Older Personsduring the General Assembly of the institution, which
was immediately signed by the governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
Costa Rica and Uruguay at OAS headquarters in Washington DC.
The purpose of the Convention -the first regional instrument of its kind
in the world-, is to promote, protect and ensure the recognition and
the full enjoyment and exercise, on an equal basis, of all human rights
and fundamental freedoms of older persons,
in order to contribute to their full inclusion, integration and
participation in society. The starting point of the Convention is the
recognition that all existing human rights and fundamental freedoms
apply to older people, and that they should fully enjoy
them on an equal basis with other segments of the population.
"This is a very important step for everyone. Our slogan of 'More rights
for more people' is fully in the logic of the Convention, which
reaffirms the hemispheric dimension of our work, in this case the
commitment to ensure the full enjoyment of the rights of
older people, taking into account their needs and specific
requirements," said Secretary General Luis Almagro during the signing of
the document, which urges States to adopt "legislative or other
measures" that are necessary to give effect to the rights and
freedoms of older adults, including awareness campaigns.
At present, people aged 60 or older in the Americas represent 14 percent
of the hemisphere's population (over 135 million). By 2030, nearly two
in five people will be 60 or older, and in total there will be more than
215 million older people in the Americas.
The Convention will strengthen the legal obligations to respect,
promote and ensure the human rights of older persons. Its ratification
will carry the obligation of States parties to adopt measures to
guarantee a differentiated and preferential treatment to
older persons in all spheres.
For the Convention to enter into force it is necessary that at least two signatory countries have ratified it.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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