Event information

27 May 2020, 15:00-16:30

Protecting the Rights of Older Persons During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Right On

The elderly are amongst the most affected groups by COVID-19. Not only do they face a higher threat to their rights to life and health, but also prevention and response-related decisions can deepen their social isolation. Unless their voices and views are taken into account, their ability to exercise their autonomy and rights might be compromised.

The social perception that COVID-19 is a disease that impacts the elderly exacerbates negative stereotypes about older persons who may be viewed as weak, unimportant and a burden on society. Such age-based discrimination may manifest in the provision of services because the treatment of older persons may be perceived as less important than the treatment of younger generations. Stigma and discrimination can be further aggravated in a context where older persons have been frequently overlooked in development and humanitarian strategies, and in their funding.

Considering the higher risks confronted by older persons in the COVID-19 pandemic, development and humanitarian strategies must explicitly identify and consider their needs, challenges and strengths at all levels and in all settings.

Join us online to discuss the protection of the rights of older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moderator

  • Alfonso Barragues, Deputy Director, UNFPA’s Liaison Office in Geneva

Panelists

  • Nena Georgantzi, Policy Coordinator Human Rights and Non-Discrimination, AGE Platform Europe
  • Rio Hada, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Claudia Mahler, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons
  • Silvia Perel-Levin, Chair, NGO Committee on Ageing in Geneva and Representative to the UN, International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA)
  • Bridget Sleap, Senior Rights Policy Adviser, HelpAge International

Registration

To join the discussion, you need to register here.

‘Right On’: The Wednesday Web Chat

‘Right On’ is a new digital initiative – co-organized by the Geneva Academy, the Geneva Human Rights Platform, the Geneva Internet Platform, the DiploFoundation, the Universal Right Group, the Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex, as well as the Permanent Missions of Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands to the United Nations in Geneva  –  that will keep the human rights dialogue going during these COVID-19 times.

Every Wednesday at 15:00, experts and practitioners will discuss key human rights issues related to the current health crisis.

Video

Right On: Protecting the Rights of Older Persons During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In this online event of the ‘Right On’ digital initiative, panelists discussed the eldery during COVID-19 and how the disease exacerbates negative stereotypes about older persons who may be viewed as weak, unimportant and a burden on society.

Right On Partners Updated

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

neurodata graphics News

New Research Brief Evaluates the Effectiveness of GDPR in Mitigating Risks Associated with the Distinctive Nature of Neurodata

21 January 2025

Our recent research brief, Neurodata: Navigating GDPR and AI Act Compliance in the Context of Neurotechnology, examines how effectively GDPR addresses the unique risks posed by neurodata.

Read more

web of information News

New Research Brief Examines the Relationship Between Digital Technologies and Their Misuse in Surveillance, Cyberattacks, and Disinformation Campaigns

21 February 2025

Our new research brief examines the complex relationship between digital technologies and their misuse in surveillance, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns.

Read more

Faces and Data Event

Academic Freedom under Siege

24 March 2025, 13:15-14:45

This Human Rights Conversation will highlight the significance of academic freedom, explore its legal foundations, and examine the concrete threats it faces.

Read more

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Booklet Training

The International Human Rights Standards and System: Monitoring and Implementation Strategies at the National Level

7-11 July 2025

This training course will delve into the means and mechanisms through which national actors can best coordinate their human rights monitoring and implementation efforts, enabling them to strategically navigate the UN human rights system and use the various mechanisms available in their day-to-day work.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

Session of a UN Treaty Body Project

Treaty Bodies Individual Communications Procedures

Started in January 2019

Read more

Online folders Project

Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

Started in March 2023

This initiative wishes to contribute to better and more coordinated implementation, reporting and follow-up of international human rights recommendations through a global study on digital human rights tracking tools and databases.

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more