New Delhi, October 01: UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has called upon the states to put necessary legal provisions in place, to ensure the protection of human rights of older persons.
In a message on the International Day for older persons that is being celebrated today, Mr Ban Ki Moon said, ”We must put an end to age discrimination, abuse, neglect and violence against older persons.
I urge states to put the necessary legal protections in place, and I urge all partners to help countries develop the capacity and institutions to achieve this objective.
” Noting that the over the past decade the UN has intensified its efforts to build a ”society for all ages”, he said, ”We have campaigned for policies that will enable older persons to live in an environment that enhances their capabilities, fosters their independence, and provides them with adequate support and care as they age.
” He emphasised that the idea was to promote international commitment to the United Nations Principles for older persons, and these principles were founded on the need to build an inclusive society that emphasised participation, self-fulfillment, independence, care and dignity for all.
He said the motto ”towards a society for all ages” was adopted in 1999 and reaffirmed at the Second World Assembly on Ageing, held in Madrid in 2002. ”It emphasises the need to treat older persons as both agents and beneficiaries of development.
This emphasis — and the United Nations Principles — take on even greater importance as the world struggles to confront global food, energy, climate, financial and economic crises,” he said.
—Agencies