UNDP provides care services and improves living conditions for elderly Georgians in need. With “entrenched ageist attitudes” already undermining the autonomy of elder persons in making their own choices and decisions, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus further violence, abuse and neglect against them, a UN independent expert said on Monday, marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Lockdown measures to control the virus have resulted in increased gender-based violence, abuse and neglect of older persons confined with family members and caregivers. Despite widespread alarm over this situation, the challenge of seeking effective solutions, has received little attention, according to the human rights expert.
Elsewhere, older persons and their families expressed despair and frustration over the lack of transparency and responsiveness to complaints raised with aged care services providers. The UN expert said that this undermines their access “to justice and to an effective remedy”, stressing that the dignity and rights of the elderly “do not have an expiration date in later life”. Access to justice encompasses the right to a fair trial, equal access to and equality before the courts, and just and timely remedies for human rights violations.
Lack of detailed information and analysis “limits the possibility to reveal patterns of abuse”, which remain vastly under reported, and “determine the gaps in existing interventions”, as well as to “identify concrete action needed to provide adequate protection to older persons”, said the independent expert.
The instrument should include the provision of legal aid, counselling and support services, age-appropriate formats to share information on rights and complaints mechanisms and improved accessibility. Independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not paid for their work.
Source: The UN
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