ELDERLY –IMPROVEMENT & ENHANCEMENT FACILITIES : for a UN Convention for the Rights of Older Persons

It is a matter of interest that Mr M. Hurreeram, Chief Whip, raised a specific matter in the National Assembly at its sitting of Tuesday 10 July. The specific matter, which pertains to our ageing population, was addressed to the Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development.

The Speaker opined that by focusing on trying to find the right mechanism for economic well-being of our senior citizens, we "are missing out on the joy and opportunities that our society can derive from an ageing population." And ageing should not be considered as a burden.

The main elements of Mr Hurreeram’s discourse carry to the fundamental human rights of older persons: rights to work, to recycle, to further formal and informal education. However, "we have senior citizens who have difficulties to make ends meet and live in deplorable conditions. Others are bed ridden and some are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer."

Mr Hurreeram makes interesting proposals having regard to an intelligent use of older persons’ capabilities as part-time teachers, community workers and as providers of emotional, social and psychological care.

In conclusion, he "hopes the Minister would consider the development of a holistic approach and strategies which will encompass health, education, training, leisure that might prove enhancing and empowering for our society."

In his reply, Minister Sinatambou reiterated the "commitment of Government towards ensuring maximum protection and facilities to our elderly so that they may lead an active and healthy life in full enjoyment of their rights." Quoting from the Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division of the UN dated 2015, the Minister underlined that the world’s population is ageing and that the trend is likely to be the same in Mauritius. In fact ours is already an ageing population with some 13% out of 1.2 m being above 60 years of age. (2016 figures)

The Minister enumerated the services offered to older persons from Elderly Watch Committees to a series of assistive devices, and the Government’s intention "to develop broader strategies which will encompass health, education, training, leisure and all other domains which can enhance the lives of and empower the elderly of our country."

DIS-MOI (Droits Humains Océan Indien) cannot but support any initiative that goes in the direction of complete welfare and well being of our elderly. As an NGO, we have over the months been carrying an awareness campaign throughout the country and in the media on ageing and older persons’ rights.

We reiterate our request to the authorities that this year our country participates forcefully at the UN 9th session of the Open Ended Working Group on Ageing from the 23rd to the 26th July in New York. Different instances in Mauritius of whom DIS-MOI, the Ministry of Social Security, the National Human Rights Commission, the Senior Citizens’ Council have made submissions to the Secretariat of the OEWG on the two themes on the agenda: Independence and Autonomy, and Long Term and Palliative Care, both having regard to older persons.

Mr Hurreeram’s and the Minister’s speeches come at a defining moment in discussions that will include conditions for the emergence of a new UN instrument, a Convention for the Rights of Older Persons. Mauritius has no right to be shy because successive governments have built up on existing policies in favour of our elders. Our country can play a leading role in the discussions, given our track record in matters of older persons’ welfare.
Note: Quotes are from Hansard dated 10 July 2018

Vijay Naraidoo
President of the Commission for the Rights of Older People of DIS-MOI
13.07.2018