UN treaty to protect elderly from abuse and neglect

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Older people are increasingly vulnerable to violence, neglect, and abuse, particularly in areas struck by wars and disasters. This alarming reality has sparked a call for a United Nations treaty to ensure their protection.

Dr Jehad Al Fadhel, Second Deputy Chairperson of the Shura Council, appealed for global action during the Arab Parliamentary Dialogue Session on Elderly Protection, hosted by ESCWA.

Dr Al Fadhel pressed for a shared Arab database to pool expertise and practical examples in elderly care. She also urged parliamentarians to spearhead efforts for a UN convention, akin to those for women, children, and people with disabilities.

Social support

In her address, she drew attention to Bahrain’s example, citing Article 5 of the Constitution, which guarantees social support for the elderly, alongside state-provided healthcare and insurance. She also noted Bahrain’s pioneering step in creating a National Committee for the Elderly in 1984, a body that continues to function under the Ministry of Social Development.

Dr Al Fadhel described the 2009 Elderly Rights Law as a landmark achievement, ensuring care services and strict penalties for neglect or abuse. Additional legal measures, such as the 2006 Social Security Law, provide financial aid to seniors without family support.

Retirees

Bahrain has allocated BD43 million for social security in 2023–2024 and BD355 million to improve the living standards of retirees — steps she said reflect Bahrain’s dedication to its older population. She called on Arab and global lawmakers to step up protections, particularly for those caught in conflicts or crises, where the plight of the elderly is often overlooked.

By working together, she argued, countries can establish a meaningful framework to protect the dignity and rights of older people worldwide.