Qatar Reiterates Interest in Promoting Rights of Older Persons

Qatar Reiterates Interest in Promoting Rights of Older Persons

Geneva / Information Office / September 11  

The State of Qatar has affirmed its interest in the rights of older persons based on fundamental principles, the most important of which are religious duty and cultural values that emphasize the reverence and protection of older persons as well as the promotion of their rights.

This was stated in Qatar's statement delivered by Second Secretary at Qatar's Permanent Delegation to the United Nations Office in Geneva Abdulla Khalifa Al Suwaidi before the 39th session of the Human Rights Council (Item 3) on clustered interactive dialogue with UN independent expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons and UN special rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Al Suwaidi said social exclusion affects the quality of life, the cohesion and integration of older persons in society as a whole.

He said the promotion and protection of the rights of older persons have two aspects: one is a moral and value aspect that is to recognize the older persons' contributions, capacities and rights to live in dignity and independently, while the other is a material one that is to provide adequate resources that respond to the special needs of the older persons.

Al Suwaidi pointed out that in line with this concept, the State of Qatar's interest in the rights of older persons has been based on fundamental principles, the most important of which are religious duty and cultural values that emphasize the reverence and protection of the older persons as well as the promotion of their rights, adding: "Convinced that the family constitutes the natural environment for the life of any person, the State has devoted attention to building a strong and cohesive family which remains the pillar of the protection and promotion of the rights of all its members, in particular the older persons."

He pointed out that the State of Qatar has passed legislations guaranteeing the elderly all rights such as social security, housing, work and legal protection. At the same time, it established specialized institutions, topped by the Centre for Elderly Empowerment & Care (Ehsan) of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work which provides the older persons with health, social and psychological services through a variety of services and programs, including residential care, day care, mobile home care and aftercare, he said.

Al Suwaidi pointed out that the center has recently carried out an awareness campaign to educate about the rights and needs of older persons and their basic issues through awareness campaigns in schools, institutions and youth centers as well as by using social media in order to promote solidarity between generations and fulfill the primary purpose of empowering older persons and integrating them into society to enjoy a dignified, secure and productive life.