Thread by @UNDecadeAgeing

It's #HumanRightsDay & the 75th birthday of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. #UDHR75

If we were the same age as the UDHR, many of us wouldn't be enjoying the rights it defines.

How do we build on its principles to ensure later lives of meaning & dignity? Read on 🧵⬇️

@UNHumanRights @UN_HRC @UN4Ageing @WHO @UNDESA @UNDESASocial @UNGeneva @UN @UNFPA @IE_OlderPersons 2/ Reminder: #ageing is something to celebrate!

We are living longer than ever before. This is partly because of hard work to uphold the #UDHR.

But longer lives are not yet healthier lives for all. Our work to protect human rights needs to respond to a rapidly changing world.

3/ The #UDHR's Preamble starts by highlighting the 'equal & inalienable rights of all members of the human family'.

These human rights are 'fundamental' & must be universally recognised & observed.

⚠️ This commitment has no age limits!

#HumanRightsDay

4/ #UDHR’s Article 1 goes on to state that 'all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights'.

We are born with our fundamental rights and don't need to reach a certain age to have them.

⚠️ Neither should we lose these rights at any age.

#HumanRightsDay #UDHR75

5/ #UDHR's Article 2 reiterates this universal entitlement to our fundamental human rights, without any distinction.

⚠️ But the article doesn't specifically highlight age.

Although #ageism existed when the UDHR was proclaimed in 1948, it didn't have a name until 1969.

6/ #Ageism is one of the most invisible threats to our 'freedom from fear and want'.

But we now know more about its serious & negative impacts on well-being.

▶️ bit.ly/combatageism

💡 We have an opportunity to respond to this newly recognised danger to our human rights.

7/ Our commitment to the #UDHR even as originally written can’t be fulfilled without addressing #ageism.

⚠️ Racism, sexism, socioeconomic inequalities, and more – these are all made worse when combined with ageism, particularly when disadvantages accumulate over time.

8/ The importance of addressing #ageism can be identified throughout the #UDHR.

⚠️ For example, Articles 4 – 6: if ageism prevents us from seeing younger or older people as full persons with rights, atrocities such as slavery, torture and abuse could be easier to commit.

9/ #UDHR’s Article 7 states that ‘all are equal before the law’ and ‘entitled without any discrimination to equal protection’.

⚠️ Yet, younger and older people alike face numerous forms of age-based discrimination that are not adequately protected against by law. #AWorld4AllAges

@UNHumanRights @UN_HRC @IE_OlderPersons @UN4Ageing @UNDESA @UNDESASocial @WHO @UN @UNGeneva @UNFPA 10/ #UDHR’s Article 23 states that everyone has the right to work.

But how many younger people have been told they are ‘too inexperienced‘ for a job?

How many older people face difficulties finding a new job because they are ’too old’ to work?

⚠️ More than zero = too many.

11/ #UDHR’s Article 25 defines the right to a standard of living adequate for health & well-being, including the right to security in old age.

⚠️ But #COVID19 showed there are gaps in even the most basic standards of health / social care & social protection for older people.

12/ #UDHR’s Article 26 defines our right to education.

⚠️ Yet systemic #ageism embedded in our educational systems prevents many older people from accessing the benefits of life-long learning.

Because they are somehow ‘too old’ to learn.

#HumanRightsDay #UDHR75

13/ The #UDHR's role in protecting human rights cannot be understated.

But the world is rapidly changing. We are living longer but not necessarily healthier, nor with greater well-being.

We need to act to protect the rights of current & future generations of older people.

14/ The @UNDecadeAgeing is our opportunity to work together to:

✅ Address gaps in the way human rights instruments are applied for older people

✅ Implement strategies proven to reduce #ageism, like policies & laws addressing age-based discrimination

#AWorld4AllAges #UDHR75

15/ Ready to learn more and take action?

👉 Global Campaign to Combat Ageism: bit.ly/combatageism

👉 @IE_OlderPersons

👉 @UNHumanRights: bit.ly/OHCHR-ageing

👉 @UN4Ageing: bit.ly/UN-ageing

👉 @UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing: bit.ly/3HpFwNl

@IE_OlderPersons @UNHumanRights @UN4Ageing @UN 16/ Are you working to protect the rights of older persons? #HumanRightsDay #UDHR75

Do you want to know what the global community is doing? #AddingLifeToYears

Join us and share your knowledge on the @UNDecadeAgeing Platform ⬇️
decadeofhealthyageing.org

@IE_OlderPersons @UNHumanRights @UN4Ageing @UN 17/ Did you learn something new?

Were you inspired to take action to transform the world to be a better place to grow older?

Help us spread the word by retweeting and sharing the whole thread 🧵⬇️

#AddingLifeToYears #UDHR75 #HumanRightsDay