1. The United Nations and the World Health Organization have acknowledged individuals aged 60 years and above as older persons, as per Article 25 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which affirms that everyone has the right to security if they become old and lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control and 1 October was approved as International Day of Older Persons through the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 45/106. Furthermore, through Resolution 47/5, the United Nations General Assembly designated the year 1999 as the “International Year of Older Persons-IYOP”. Regularly, the United Nations sets a specific theme for the elderly each year, and this year, the chosen theme is “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations”.

2. The fundamental principles adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 46/91 to safeguard the rights of the elderly and ensure their security of life include the right of the elderly to access food, physical and mental healthcare; access to additional income-earning opportunities; the right to participate in societal associations; education for long-term life development; access to cultural and recreational resources; and rights to live with human dignity and the right to be treated with respect.

3. In Myanmar, the Constitution of the Union underscores the responsibility of the State to provide care for the elderly. Furthermore, the Elderly People Law sets the age for classifying individuals as elderly at 60 years and above and outlining their rights.

4. In 2016, the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, while serving as the alternate Chair of the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF), released a forum statement regarding the rights of the elderly.

5. As the number of elderly people increases, it becomes necessary to promote and protect their rights. Therefore, the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission is conducting lectures on elderly rights in caregiver courses to raise awareness. The MNHRC also inspected the homes of the aged to ascertain whether the elders have basic human rights.

6. The younger generation must promote and protect the rights of the elders to enable them not only long life but also a happy and healthy existence without encountering discrimination, negligence, isolation and other forms of human rights violations. On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission would like to express its desire to continue to promote and protect the rights of the elderly.

Myanmar National Human Rights Commission

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