This book focuses on descriptions of the developments in legal
frameworks and policies regarding the human rights of older persons.
First, it covers the policies adopted and practices developed at the
universal system, particularly within the sphere of the United Nations.
Second, it includes a side-by-side comparison of the work of regional
human rights mechanisms, which have picked up some momentum in the past
decade. Through its inclusion of law, policy, and current processes, the
widest net possible has been cast to collect a descriptive resource for
advocates.
Overall, we hope that this book contributes to a better understanding of
the current limitations and possibilities that international
institutions offer to uphold the human rights of older persons. We
expect that this information will allow states and other policy makers
to move forward with the international recognition of the human rights
of older persons. We know this is only a first effort in compiling and
reporting the standards that are being produced by different
international institutions. But we have no doubt that many others will
follow with their expert analysis of these emerging standards, and that
the ongoing discussion will finally crystalize in international human
rights binding instruments explicitly recognizing the universal rights
of older persons.