UN Independent Expert Recognizes PH as Champion of Human Rights of Older Persons 

Dr. Claudia Mahler, UN Independent Expert (left) and Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo (right) discuss the Philippines’ role as champion in promoting rights of older persons 

PASAY 05 September 2023 – Dr. Claudia Mahler, UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons recognized the Philippines as “a champion” during a courtesy call on Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo. 

She also recalled the invaluable role of Secretary Manalo in advocating for the rights of older persons during his term as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. 

In accordance with Philippine advocacy on promoting the rights of vulnerable groups, Secretary Manalo highlighted that PH remains committed to advancing the rights of older persons, particularly in the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA). He assured Dr. Mahler of Philippine support for the development of an international legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons.

He cited the Philippine Expanded Senior Citizens Act, which ensures access of older persons to health care and other services and establishes the Institute of Aging that conducts research to support evidence-based programming and decision-making. 

Dr. Mahler, in her academic capacity, attended a Workshop on Advancing the Human Rights of Older Persons in the Asia-Pacific on 29-30 August 2023 in Manila co-organized by the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, and the Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions. 

Secretary Manalo noted the workshop was a good practice to garner wider support for the promotion and protection of the human rights of older persons. He underscored that “there should be more awareness not only of the human rights of older persons, but of their contributions to society.” 

Both Secretary Manalo and Dr. Mahler agreed that the issue of rights of older persons was a “gathering point” for the international community to work and unite on. 

UN independent experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to study and address various human rights issues, as well as provide advice and support to UN Member States. END