Asia: VN/11208/2026-UM-6

The Union for Senior Services VALLI (Vanhus- ja lähimmäispalvelun liitto VALLI ry) thanks for the request of statement.

The Union for Senior Services VALLI (VALLI) is a 73-year-old national non-profit umbrella organisation in Finland. VALLI promotes the rights, inclusion and well-being of older people nationwide. VALLI supports the diversity and technological inclusion of the older people. VALLI also supports civic activities and encourages intergenerational cooperation. Together with VALLI`s member organisations (57), VALLI makes the voices of older people heard. VALLI creates and coordinates several professional networks. We work for and with older people for involvement of the older people and interaction between generations.

VALLI supports the statement issued by the Human Right Centre in Finland and HelpAge International.

1) The Convention norms and standards should promote dignity, equality, autonomy and self-fulfillment in older age. It should improve the promotion and protection of human rights in older age in law and in practice by clarifying what states’ human rights obligations to people in older age are. Instrument should commit Member States to taking active measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by older persons on an equal basis with others.

The Convention should include obligations on State parties to eliminate all forms of ageism, including eliminating any harmful traditional practices and institutional, systemic or structural practices which adversely affect the human dignity or personal security of older persons.

2) The core principles should include, but are not limited, to following general principles: Equality, including gender equality, non-discrimination including age-based discrimination and discrimination on grounds such as minority status, indigeneity, and gender or sexual orientation. Also Respect for the inherent dignity of all human beings regardless of their age, Respect for individual autonomy and independence, Full and meaningful participation and inclusion in society and Accessibility.

The Convention should clearly set out the obligations of States to tackle ageism in all its forms and to identify and remove barriers to equal participation for older persons in all areas of life.

Guaranteeing the protection and promotion of the human rights of older persons where relevant in all policies and programmes.

Providing accessible, appropriate information to older persons on their rights and entitlement to benefits and resources.

Taking all appropriate measures to allow for older persons’ full and effective participation in society and decision-making processes.

3) The Convention should include a catalogue of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as general obligations including non-discrimination that apply across specific rights. The Convention norms and standards should promote dignity, equality, autonomy and self-fulfillment in older age.

States parties should take all necessary measures to give effect to their obligations under the convention, including by modifying or abolishing laws, policies and practices that are incompatible with those obligations. States parties should also refrain from any actions or practices that would result in a situation contrary to the obligations of the convention.

States parties should maintain the rights of older persons across all relevant policies and other measures and, in doing so, should consult older persons and their representative organizations.