The Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa (the Working Group) of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) is pleased to join the world in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP).
The theme of this 25th edition of celebration is “Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment” which aims at mainstreaming the rights of Older Persons in a world which is developing its urban environment at a rapid pace to the extent that it is anticipated that in 2030, 6 out of 10 persons will be living in an urbanised area. The celebration’s theme also advocates for Older Persons to impact urbanisation by their involvement in its occurrence.
The Working Group, while supporting the six (6) core objectives of this edition of the IDOP as determined by the United Nations, would like to put special emphasis on the need to ensure that urbanisation is not done at the expense of Older Persons in the African context.
In fact, very often, urbanisation is associated with the “loss” of African positive traditional values to which the African Union is attached according to its founding instrument and other core treaties including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Charter) which Preamble notes that African States consider that “the virtues of their historical tradition and the values of African civilization…should inspire and characterize their reflection on the concept of human and peoples’ rights”.
Therefore, as underscored in the Draft Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa (the Draft Protocol), there is a need to work towards maintaining that the virtues of African traditions, values and practices inspire and characterize the provision of mutual social and communal care and support, respect for older members of society and the passing of knowledge to younger population groups no matter how fast developing countries are becoming urbanised.
The Working Group acknowledges that because it provides for better facilities and commodities, urbanisation offers opportunities to all categories of persons and specifically to the most vulnerable as it is the case for Older Persons. Consequently, Member States and all stakeholders should make sure that special needs of Older Persons are taken into account in developing urban environments as well as that Older Persons could positively impact on these urban environments.
The Working Group’s ultimate wish for this edition of the IDOP is that the General Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union expedites the adoption of the Draft Protocol.
The Working Group anticipates unprecedented benefits for Older Persons in Africa if this Draft Protocol enters into force and is implemented by Member States of the African Union.
The Working Group also applauds its collaboration with all stakeholders, including the United Nations’ Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Older Persons, who work to ensure that Older Persons’ needs are taken into account in all aspects of life.
The Working Group finally wishes happy IDOP to all Older Persons across the world and specifically to those who are the most at risk such as aged women, older persons with disabilities, older persons who are refugees or internally displaced and older persons in conflict zones or victimized by natural disaster.
