WUNRN
UN Appoints New
Independent Expert on the Rights of Older Persons - Older Women
___________________________________
Website of New UN Independent Expert
on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights by Older Persons
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How to engage with UN Independent Expert on the Rights of Older Persons
On May 8th Ms.Rosa Kornfeld-Matte (
The below information prepared by HelpAge International, explains the functions of the Independent Expert and how you can work with her during her mandate.
What will the new Independent Expert on older people’s rights do?
The new Independent Expert on the full enjoyment of the human rights
of all older persons was established by the Human Rights Council in its
September 2013 Resolution A/HRC/RES/24/20.
http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/RES/24/20
This Independent Expert is appointed with a 3-year mandate. The
resolution creating the Independent Expert specifically tasked him with:
*Assessing how existing international human
rights instruments have been implemented in relation to older people’s rights,
identifying both good practice and implementation gaps
* Assessing the human rights implications of the implementation
of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA).
The Independent Expert will also:
*Report to the Human Rights Council on an annual
basis, with its first report in September 2014 and a final comprehensive report
in September 2016
*Go on fact-finding visit countries and make
recommendations on how States they can better promote and protect older
people’s rights
* Produce thematic reports on specific human
rights issues to further understanding of the human rights challenges older
people face and that serve as a guide on human rights norms and standards
* Communicate with Member States on either
individual cases or structural issues of concern in relation to enjoyment of
the rights of older people
* Raise awareness of the challenges older
people face in realisation of their rights
* Attend the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing annual sessions
in
How does this fit in with the work of the Open-ended Working Group on
Ageing?
Whilst the work of the Independent Expert will complement and
contribute to that of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing, it cannot replace
it.
The Open-ended Working Group is an inter-governmental body that has been tasked through General Assembly Resolution A/67/139 with identifying the main elements of a new legal instrument dedicated to the rights of older people. This discussion among Member States is critical to build consensus around the need for and what should be in such an instrument. This consensus building process amongst Member States is essential to deliver a strong instrument and the political will to implement it once adopted and ratified.
What opportunities do civil society organisations have to engage with
the new Independent Expert?
Civil society organisations are one of the groups of stakeholders that the Independent Expert is mandated to consult with in her/his work.
1. Mandated assessments in Resolution A/HRC/RES/24/20 on the
implementation of MIPAA and existing international law
Civil society organisations can
Ø Suggest
priority areas for assessment
Ø Provide
written evidence and recommendations as part of Independent Expert’s
consultation on the assessment
Ø Suggest who
should be invited to any expert group meetings convened by the Independent
Expert for the assessment
Ø
Comment on the conclusions drawn by the
Independent Expert in her/his final report on the assessments
2. Fact-finding country visits
Civil society organisations can
Ø Suggest and
advise on which countries to visit.
Ø Provide the
Independent Expert with information on older people’s rights in the country to
be visited
Ø Meet with the
Independent Expert during the country visits
Ø Arrange
meetings for the Independent Expert with older people and other civil society
organisations during the visit
Ø
Invite the Independent Expert to visit project
sites during the visit
3. Thematic studies
Civil society organisations can
Ø Suggest areas
for thematic studies
Ø Provide
written evidence and recommendations as part of Independent Expert’s
consultation on the study
Ø Suggest who
should be invited to any expert group meetings convened by the Independent
Expert for a thematic study
Ø
Comment on the conclusions drawn by the
Independent Expert in her final report on the thematic study
4. Communications to Member States
Civil society organisations can
Ø
Send information to the Independent Expert on
individual cases or structural violations of human rights in a specific country
and request that she communicate with the government on this
5. Annual reports to the Human Rights Council
Civil society organisations can
Ø
Make oral statements commenting on the contents
of the Independent Expert’s annual reports
6. Awareness raising and information sharing
Civil society organisations can
Ø Invite the Independent
Expert to speak at events
Ø
Encourage the Independent Expert to comment on
specific issues e.g. reports or research findings published, statements made by
others etc.
Ø
Encourage the Independent Expert to make
statements around specific days e.g. 1st October International Day of Older Persons and 15th June World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
7. Interacting with other human rights mechanisms to improve how they
address older people’s rights
Civil society organisations can
Ø
Suggest areas of joint work or collaboration with
existing UN treaty bodies, the Universal Period Review (UPR) and other special
rapporteurs, independent experts and working groups.
8. Engagement with the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing
Civil society organisations can
Ø
Encourage the Independent Expert to use his/her
influence and standing with this process to ensure that the debate is both
substantive and furthers understanding of necessary standards and norms to
protect and promote the rights of older people.