WEBINAR #2
“Protecting and promoting the rights of older persons in COVID-19 responses and recovery: the role and experiences of national human rights institutions”
Webinar hosted by GANHRI with the participation of the UN Independent Expert on older persons 22 June 2020 | 13.00 to 14.30 hours CEST
Older persons are amongst the groups most affected by COVID-19. Not only do they face a higher threat to their rights to life and health but prevention and response-related decisions as well as challenges in accessing information can pose additional difficulties to their continued social inclusion and mental health. Numerous human rights are implicated, including the rights to health care, food, an adequate standard of living, and accessible information.
Women, older persons with disabilities, older persons with migrant or refugee background or those living in poverty may be disproportionately impacted. Unless older persons’ voices and views are taken into account, their ability to exercise their autonomy and rights may be compromised.
National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) can play a critical role in promoting rights-based responses to, and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that take into account the voices, views and situation of older people.
Considering the higher risks confronted by older persons in the COVID-19 pandemic, strategies must explicitly identify and consider their needs, challenges and strengths at all levels and in all settings.
This webinar focuses on the role and experiences of NHRIs in addressing the rights of older people in COVID-19-responses and recovery.
Agenda
| Time | Item |
| 13.00- 13.10 | Start of the webinar and housekeeping announcements Welcome and opening by GANHRI |
| 13.10- 13.30 | Panel 1 – moderator Comm. Karen Dumpit, Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines Claudia Mahler, United Nations Independent Expert on Older Persons Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission Nigeria Liz Vela Barrientos, Comisionada, Defensoria del Pueblo de Peru |
| 13.30-13.50 | Questions & Answers |
| 13.50- 14.00 | Panel 2 – moderator Comm. Karen Dumpit, Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines Anna Chabiera, Senior Specialist in the Department of Equal Treatment, Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in Poland Sungnam Park, Director International Human Rights Division, National Human Rights Commission of Korea |
| 14.00-14.15 | Questions & Answers |
| 14.15-14.20 | Closing remarks by GANHRI |
| 14.20-14.30 | Summary, closing and way forward |