Uganda joins the world in drafting international Convention on Human Rights of Older Persons.
Geneva-The First meeting of the UN Inter-governmental Working Group (IGWG) on Older Persons, to draft the new legally binding Convention on Human Right of the Older Persons, commenced on 18th and was concluded on 20th February. Lamex Omara Apita, the Commissioner of Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) represented Uganda at this high-profile engagement that took place at Palais des Nations UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Delivering the speech at the meeting, Commissioner Omara reiterated UHRC and Uganda’s readiness to working with all delegations, towards the drafting for adoption of this much anticipated Convention on Human Rights of Older Persons, in as short a time as possible.
”We are pleased with the journey started towards the formal and actionable recognition globally of the Human Rights of Older Persons,” Omara Apita said.
He said this has been long coming, but it has come to pass at that historic meeting in Geneva
Omara informed the world delegates that in Uganda, the recognition, largely in principle, of the plight, and Rights of Older Persons is alive and that some relevant action has been taken by the government at the national level. The action he said includes enacting the Older Persons and Disability Act developing new Principles for Older Persons Bill for, among others, establishment and regulation of Social gerontology centres catering for, among others, Social and rehabilitation services for Older Persons, and Provision of some affirmative action services for Older Persons.
He said although all countries have put in place various policies and other Older Persons support measures, but the individual and disjointed country efforts towards the promotion and protection of Rights of Older Persons cannot been as effective as would definitely be, if there were entrenched and supported by a legally binding International Human Rights Instrument.
”This is an unparalleled opportunity for us to work collectively as Human Rights defenders and promoters to a new dawn of an International Convention on the Human Rights of Older Persons,” he noted, assuring UHRC ‘s commitment to contribute towards the expeditious conclusion of this important work.
On behalf of UHRC, Commissioner Omara Apita also congratulated His Excellency Carlos Mario Foradori (Ambassador of Argentina), upon his election as IGWG Chairperson.
