Rights of Older People

Millions of older people around the globe experience human rights violations every year, ranging from age-based discrimination and social and political exclusion, to abuses in nursing facilities, neglect in refugee camps, and barriers to healthcare and other essential services. Most of these abuses go undocumented and those responsible not held to account. Covid-19 has exposed the dangerous price of ignoring the rights of older people. Never before in history have so many older people been living, and life expectancy in every region is increasing. Human Rights Watch works to improve the lives of older people today and in the future.

Europe/Central Asia

June 29, 2026
Dispatches
Heat Wave Is a Test of Whom Governments Protect, And How

Bede Sheppard

Deputy Director, Children's Rights Division

Bridget Sleap

Senior Researcher, Rights of Older People
Europe/Central Asia

January 14, 2026
Report
Inadequate Pensions for Older People in Hungary
Europe/Central Asia

September 17, 2025
Dispatches
Russian Strike Kills Dozens of Older People in Ukraine

Yulia Gorbunova

Associate Director, Ukraine

Videos

Reports

January 14, 2026 Report

Inadequate Pensions for Older People in Hungary

Rising Poverty and Barriers to Adequate Food, Medicine, Energy
July 8, 2025 Report

Punished For Getting Older

South Korea’s Age-based Policies and Older Workers’ Rights
March 24, 2025 Report

“It Tears You Apart”

Poverty and Gender in Germany’s Social Security System
November 14, 2023 Report

“They Don’t Treat Us like Human Beings”

Abuse of Imprisoned Women in Japan

News

June 17, 2026 Submission

Submission to the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons

"Autonomy, dignity & human rights in situations of dependency in older age"
May 8, 2026 Submission

Human Rights Watch Submission to the Intergovernmental Working Group on Older Persons

General Framework, Architecture, and Guiding Principles of a Legally Binding Instrument on the Human Rights of Older Persons
February 8, 2026 Statement

Human Rights Watch Written Statement to the Organizational Meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Older Persons
September 19, 2025 Statement

New Treaty Should Combat Age Discrimination Against Older People in Employment

HRW Oral Statement - Item 3 General Debate - HRC60
July 8, 2025 News Release

South Korea: Older Workers’ Low-Paid, Precarious Work

End Age-based Discrimination; Increase Social Security
June 17, 2025 News Release

Saudi Arabia: Prisoner, 70, Dies After Medical Neglect

UN Expert Denied Access to Older Detainees Despite Official Invitation
April 4, 2025 Statement

Submission to the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons Older Persons in Armed Conflict and Peacebuilding

April 3, 2025
April 3, 2025 News Release

UN: Treaty on Older People’s Rights Moves Ahead

Proposed International Instrument Will Strengthen Protections for a Population at Risk
April 3, 2025 News Release

Argentina: Abusive Response to Protest

Investigate Use of Force; Respect Judiciary; Review Anti-Protests Protocol
March 24, 2025 News Release

Germany: Social Security Failing to Protect Rights

New Government Should Act to Address Poverty, Gender Inequality

Our people

Elizabeth Kamundia

Director, Disability Rights Division

Kamundia_E

Bridget Sleap

Senior Researcher, Rights of Older People