The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) joined global leaders and human rights advocates at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on May 8, 2025, for a High-Level Meeting convened by the President of the General Assembly on Ageing.
Held under the theme of exchanging views on the recommendations outlined in Decision 14/1 of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing, the meeting brought together Member States, UN bodies and civil society to address the rights and well-being of older persons and define next steps toward stronger legal protections.
EHRC’s Commissioner for Women, Children, Older Persons and Disability Rights, Rigbe Gebrehawaria, who also serves as an expert member of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa, made an opening remark on behalf of EHRC and GANHRI, emphasizing the urgent need to close the protection gap for older persons. “Despite their immense contributions to society, older persons continue to face marginalization and systemic barriers to equal rights and services,” she said.
Commissioner Rigbe highlighted EHRC’s commitment to advancing this agenda through targeted reforms, including the establishment of a dedicated department for older persons’ rights, adoption of a twin-track inclusion approach and the publication of specialized reports. She also reaffirmed EHRC’s active role in regional and international advocacy for the ratification and implementation of the African Protocol on the Rights of Older Persons, as well as the broader promotion and protection of older persons’ rights.
GANHRI plays a crucial role by uniting NHRIs, amplifying their collective voice and documenting national trends, good practices and protection gaps to inform global action. Commissioner Rigbe stressed the importance of ensuring meaningful participation of GANHRI and NHRIs in global processes, adding that, “NHRIs clearly see the gap created by the absence of a binding international instrument leading to fragmented protections and greater vulnerability.”
The High-Level Meeting and the adoption of Human Rights Council Resolution 58/13, which is aligned with Decision 14/1, mark a pivotal and long-overdue step toward securing the dignity, rights and full participation of older persons worldwide. Member States are urged to combat structural ageism, integrate ageing into national policies, allocate sufficient resources to international processes and ensure inclusive participation in developing a legally binding treaty on the rights of older persons.
