The Dignity and Hazard of Elderly Prague, Czech Republic May 25-26 2009

1. The Dignity and Hazard of ElderlyPrague, Czech RepublicMay 25-26 2009 Human rights of frail older persons – Intercultural dialog g K R Gangadharan (Ganga) Heritage Hospital & Heritage Foundation Hyderabad Member National Council of Older Persons India Vice President – Asia, International Federation on Ageing

2. Religions and Human Rights Great religions - Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam include universal human rights tenets as the responsibility of human beings towards others and respect for human dignity

3. Hinduism Conglomeration of religious, philosophical, cultural ideas & practices Belief in reincarnation; One absolute being of multiple manifestations; law of cause and effect, Prominent theme include Dharma (ethics & duties) Samsara (rebirth) Karma (right action) Moksha (liberation from Samsara) • MatruDevoBhava • Revere your mother as God • PitruDevoBhava • Revere your father as God • AcharyaDevoBhava • Revere your preceptor as God • AtithiDevoBhava • Revere guest as God

4. Judaism • Individual has the right not only to life, but to security from harm, health, dignity and making a living • Under the Jewish Law, the concept of an obligation implies either a Human or Divine Right • If one must choose between performing a duty to God or performing a duty to a person, one should first perform good deeds for another a person • Parents are akin to our relationship to God because they created us. Disrespect to them is considered an insult to God

5. Buddhism • Dharma determines what is right and just • Individual’s role in sustaining and promoting social justice and orderliness • Role? Reciprocal duties exist between parents and children; teachers and pupils; husband and wife; friends, relatives and neighbours; employer and employee; clergy and laity - if observed - they can create a just, peaceful and harmonious society • Dharma = Duties rather than rights • “All individuals are Equal” same as Christian doctrine that “All men created are Equal before God”

6. The Quran: "And revere the wombs that bore you, for God is ever watchful over you." (4:1) Serving one's parents is a duty: Second only to prayer and it is their right to expect it "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents; to Me is thy final Goal." (31:14) Most beloved are those who bring most benefit to people “Part of glorifying Allaah is honouring the grey-haired Muslim” Islam

7. Christianity • Christianity like Judaism and Islam, believe in one God • Lord Jesus encouraged people to emphasize the intent behind the law and to focus on their motivations. He summarized the law as love for God and for neighbour. Thus much of Christian practice is focused on finding ways to show love for our fellow beings. • Love is patience; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things

8. HR Violations against Elderly • Widespread questioning: • What respect the elderly require? • Whether certain them are owed any respect at all? • Economic support : A critical issue for societies • % of elderly population ^g versus those generating wealth and earning contracting • % of frail elderly dependent on the support of others ^g • Resources for state provision of welfare are under stress while unemployment levels are ^g

9. Frustrations of Elderly Lack of redress mechanisms Extreme difficulty for poor to access the law Long delays in judicial processes Absence of protection for complainants and victims

10. Reports of Abuse of Elderly • Despite the implementation of the Human Rights Act (1998), UK, older people still face treatment • Zivot (2007): Up to 400,000 elderly people may be tortured abused or neglected while some 270,000 people over 60 may become a target of violence • Germany in 1993: 440,000 elderly people were subjected to physical and mental abuse at the hands of their relatives and family members at least once each year

11. 28 April 2008 Elderly are "often ignored and denied their full human rights” In our society, the elderly tend to be discriminated against on several levels and considered as worthless or non-productive Faced with ageing populations, the elderly are bound to be "a strain on the social and health care system," therefore European leaders urged to re-examine their social protection systems, health care and housing policies, which are not "suited" to the elderly Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights EU and HR of Elderly

12. Cultural Integration • Non-racist and intercultural approach • Enforce equal treatment of citizens • Extend same Social Rights as Nationals - Make EU attractive • Protection of rights of immigrants • Entry Regulations • Migrant’s policies • Culture allows foreigners more latitude than it does to its own citizens irrespective of their religion

13. Reciprocity The Golden Rule of Ethics of Reciprocity “One must do unto others as one would be treated themselves” - Reciprocal Recognition and Respect of Rights ensures protection of one’s own right. Common amongst all major religions with slight difference

14. Youth, Human Rights and Elder Law • Care and safety of the elderly in society • Pace of life is fast and children have no time to care for their ageing and vulnerable parents • Monetary management and medical care are the two main issues connected with the special needs of the elderly • Law for protection of Elderly becomes key to safeguard their financial rights and ensure they get health care benefits and medical care during physical illness

15. Religion with a Purpose Religion provides a supportive social network through a sense of shared beliefs which can aid an elderly person in combating isolation and loneliness 2007-2008 Gallup Poll Does religion occupy an important place in your life? Almost 50% said "No"

16. Accept Every Religion Accept other religious points of view • Respect beliefs, values and origins of all religion • Enable them to adopt their needs such as building temples, mosques and churches • Find common ground rather than divergence in respective religions • Faith is an individual identity and choice. So religious communities can play an important role in furthering dialogue, fraternity, solidarity & peace

17. Community Watchdog Non-partisan, grassroots organization of concerned Citizens – advocacy and legal action Establishment of interfaith forums Discussing interfaith relations in a cordial manner always enhances tolerance in people

18. Jesus Mosque - Jordan's latest symbol of interfaith peace A mosque named after the central figure of Christianity is the latest milestone of interfaith coexistence in Jordan Dome of the Rock and Vatican flag 12 May 2009