PERMANENT MISSION OF INDIA
GENEVA
33rd Session of UN Human Rights Council
[13 – 30 September 2016]
Statement by India delivered by Dr.Virander Kumar Paul Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN in Geneva at the
Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on the Rights of Older Persons, during 33rd Session of UN Human Rights Council
On September 14, 2016
Mr. President,
We welcome the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights of older persons, Ms. Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, and thank her for her latest report.
Mr. President,
2. Ageing population is a global concern. India is already home to more than 100 million older persons. We are fully conscious of the challenges in protecting the rights of elderly and promoting their welfare. Our Constitution, in Article 41, enjoins on the State to make effective provision for securing the right to public assistance in cases of old age. Consistent with our commitment to the Madrid Plan of Action, we have undertaken a number of legislative and policy measures to promote social, economic and emotional security for the elderly so that they can not only live longer but also lead a secure, dignified and productive life.
3. The landmark Senior Citizens Act of 2007 made the care and maintenance of parents/senior citizens by their children obligatory and justiciable through dedicated tribunals. A new National Policy on Senior Citizens is in the making, which aims to bring a paradigm shift by mainstreaming rights of senior citizens especially older women and promoting the concept of ‘Ageing in Place’.
Mr. President,
4. We take note of the IE’s analysis of best practices and implementation gaps in current international instruments for older persons. However, we believe that the rights of older persons are adequately covered under the existing human rights standards and mechanisms. We are not fully convinced on the added value of creating a new human rights instrument for older persons. There are a number of good practices and policy measures, many of which are highlighted in the SR’s report, that can be adopted to promote the rights and wellbeing of elderly. Recently in May 2016, the World Health Assembly endorsed the first Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health, in which Member States recognized the concept of ‘’healthy ageing’ and committed to take comprehensive measures to enable it.
5. The focus, therefore, should be on implementation of existing action plans and strategies based on a multi-dimensional and multi-stakeholder approach with active involvement of families and communities. After all, it is an issue of intergenerational compact and cannot be completely delegated to States alone. Technical assistance and sharing of good practices including through South-South cooperation, which takes into account specific national contexts, should be strengthened to support national-level implementation.
Thank you Mr. President.
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