NHRCK hosted the ASEM Conference on Global Ageing and Human Rights of Older Persons
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (Chairperson Lee Sungho) hosted ASEM Conference on Global Ageing and Human Rights of Older Persons on 26-28 October, at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul, Korea.
The NHRCK co-hosted the Conference jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and 140 experts from 45 countries including representatives from ASEM members, NGOs, and UN participated to publicly discuss human rights-based approach on issues of older persons and shared future development directions.
The proposal for the Conference was adopted at the 10th ASEM Summit held in Italy last year. During the Conference the right to health, right to social security, non-discrimination on the ground of age, right to work and access were discussed.
In addition, older persons’ social exclusion and right to freedom from violence and abuse was discussed. On 28th, last day of the Conference, tasks for promotion of human rights of older persons in Asia and Europe were discussed, and presentations were made on detailed cooperative measures to this end.
The NHRCK, prior to the Conference, organized a NHRI Special Session where NHRIs were gathered together to review international trend regarding human rights of older persons and the role and direction of the ICC and NHRIs.
Ageing population is a global phenomenon, and according to the UN World Population Prospects the number of people aged 60 and above is expected to account for 41.5% in 2050, increasing from 18.5% in 2015.
According to the 2015 Global AgeWatch Index, Korea ranked 60 and 82 among 96 countries respectively for socio-economic welfare for older persons and for guarantee of income for older persons, which shows that basic human rights of older persons are in dire situation in Korea.
In a bid to address such dire human rights situation of older persons, a paradigm shift is needed to so as to move beyond a perspective where older persons are viewed only as subjects for charity and welfare to a human rights perspective of guaranteeing human dignity and basic human rights.
The NHRCK wishes that the Conference serves as an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of human rights of older persons and to share information on national legislations, policies and best practices for human rights of older persons and to facilitate further cooperation among ASEM members for protection of human rights of older persons
