Slovenia’s decade-long advocacy for international standards on the human rights of older persons

SLOVENIA, October 1 - This year’s International Day of Older Persons focuses on longevity and the need to adapt social systems to accommodate longer lifespans. While longevity is an important social achievement, it raises questions about how to ensure a dignified life, independence and equality for all older persons at every stage of life.

Demographic changes and longer lifespans require systems and policies to be adapted so that individuals can fully enjoy their human rights throughout their lives. Furthermore, society’s evolving perception of ageing is becoming increasingly significant: shifting from viewing older individuals as recipients of social and medical assistance to acknowledging their vital contributions to society and affirming their inherent human rights. In Slovenia, the Festival of the Third Age, which concludes today, has also contributed to this shift in understanding. The Ministry has provided financial support for its organisation for many years. This year marks the festival’s 25th edition, with a focus on lifelong learning as a key element of personal development at all stages of life.

On the margins of the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Slovenia is co-organising an event concerning a legally binding instrument for the rights of older persons (PDF, 253 KB).

The longevity of societies, including Slovenian society, is at the forefront of political and social debate. This includes questions regarding international standards and the international protection of the rights of older persons. Slovenia is one of the leading countries in this field and has been actively contributing to global discussions on the human rights of older persons for over a decade. The country also advocates the development and adoption of human rights standards for older persons in international human rights law. After several years of efforts, an intergovernmental working group began its work this year with the aim of drafting an international, legally binding instrument on the human rights of older persons.

To mark this year’s International Day of Older Persons, the Ministry is reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the international protection of the human rights of older persons, as well as its commitment to continued efforts towards a new international legal document from the UN that will ensure more comprehensive, visible and effective protection of the human rights of older persons.

Slovenia is an active advocate for the rights of older persons, a fact recognised in international human rights forums. This year, the UN Human Rights Council appointed Prof. Dr Zvezdan Pirtošek as a UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. Dr Pirtošek is the first Slovenian to hold a mandate under the UN Human Rights Council’s special procedures. At the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, currently taking place in Geneva, Dr Pirtošek presented his first report in this capacity.

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