Shri J.S. Kochher, Joint Secretary, NHRC, representing the Commission, attended the Asia Pacific Forum Workshop on the ‘Rights of Older Persons’ in Sydney, Australia from the 13th – 15th May, 2014. Representatives of 17 NHRIs of the region discussed the main elements that should be included in an International Legal Instrument, such as a Convention, to promote and protect the rights and dignity of older persons. The outcomes of the Workshop will be further discussed at the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing, which will finally present an overall proposal to the UN General Assembly.
Delegates came from the NHRIs of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, The Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal,
New Zealand, The Philippines, Qatar, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor Leste as well as from HelpAge, the International Federation on Ageing, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the Asia Pacific Forum.