SCP: UN international day of older persons

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Wednesday, 01, Oct 2008 12:00

The first of October has been designated the "United Nations International Day of Older Persons" and the message of Secretary General Ban ki-Moon reminds all governments of their promises:

“The theme of this year’s International Day of Older Persons, “Rights of Older Persons”, is especially apt in this year in which we mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Promoting the independence, participation and dignity of older persons has long been on the agenda of the United Nations and is central to implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. In adopting that Plan six years ago at the Second World Assembly on Ageing, UN Member States committed “to eliminating all forms of discrimination, including age discrimination”. They recognized “that persons, as they age, should enjoy a life of fulfilment, health, security and active participation in the economic, social, cultural and political life of their societies”. And they determined “to enhance the recognition of the dignity of older persons and to eliminate all forms of neglect, abuse and violence”.

Grahame Leon-Smith, Party Leader of the Senior Citizens Party (www.seniorcitizensparty.org.uk) points out that the UK, despite being the fifth richest country in the world we suffer the disgrace that:

1 There are still over 2 million pensioners living below the official poverty line.

2 Over 5 million households are suffering fuel poverty and over 50% are pensioners.

3 The Government has promised £1 billion for home insulation but at least half the pensioners suffering fuel poverty live in older homes with solid walls and

roofs without proper lofts and they, the most vulnerable people, will be denied any help at all.

4 More than half of older people are having to cut back on essentials such as heating and food, and one in 10 of the poorest pensioners have been forced into debt by the rising cost of living, according to a new report by Age Concern.

5 Many older people cannot afford to use their cars and are in effect imprisoned in their homes.

When will MPs and Governments live up to their obligations?

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The Senior Citizens Party represents the largest demographic group in the UK, the 20.6 million people age 50 or over who make up 43% of the voting population.

For further information, a quote or an interview, please contact the Party Leader, Grahame Leon-Smith on: 01932 874303 (Direct Line) or Mobile: 07509 047363