New network calls on Australian Government to stand up for rights of older people on world stage

A new network has been launched calling on the Australian Government to support a UN Convention on the Human Rights of Older Persons, ROPA (Rights of Older Persons Australia) has launched its campaign for stronger human rights protections for older people in Australia and globally. Existing treaties offer inadequate protection of our rights as we age. The protections that do exist in Australia and internationally are scattered and often ineffective. "There should be no use-by date on human rights, but ageism directed against older people weakens their access to rights and protections" Beverley Baker, from the National Older Women's Network and a member of ROPA said. "The case for a specific UN Convention for older persons has long been compelling, but the COVID-19 pandemic has given it greater urgency." "The pandemic unleashed unchecked ageism and attacks on older persons' rights domestically and globally. Existing patterns of discrimination towards older people have been exacerbated and excused. In resource-strained environments, older people have been afforded lower priority and treated as less worthy of services and care" Ms Baker said. Bill Mitchell from Townsville Community Law and a member of ROPA says Australia should continue its tradition of standing up for human rights on the world stage. "We call on the Australian Government to maintain that proud tradition by: establishing a multi-stakeholder group in Australia, comprising older Australians from diverse backgrounds and circumstances, as well as civil society groups and frontline workers, to inform Australia's leadership in upholding our rights as we age; actively supporting and participating in the work of the UN in developing a new convention; and ratifying and implementing the treaty in Australian law." Media