UN expert to assess human rights situation of older persons in Montenegro

GENEVA (19 April 2018) – UN human rights expert Rosa Kornfeld-Matte will carry out her first official visit to Montenegro from 23 to 30 April 2018 to assess the human rights situation of older persons in the country.

“This visit provides an opportunity to assess the implementation of national and international standards relevant to the rights of older persons, to identify good practices related to my mandate and provide recommendations on how to close potential gaps,” the Independent Expert said.

“I would in particular like to learn more about the recently finalised Strategy for the Development of the Social Protection System for the Elderly for 2018-2022,” she added.

Ms. Kornfeld-Matte is the first Independent Expert tasked by the UN Human Rights Council with monitoring, reporting and advising on the promotion and protection of rights for the elderly.

Ms. Kornfeld-Matte, who is visiting the country at the invitation of the Government, is a key member of the Geneva Group of Friends on Human Rights of Older Persons and will hold discussions with Government representatives, non-governmental organisations and others, working with and on the issue of older persons.

A press conference will be held in Podgorica at the conclusion of the expert’s visit, on Monday, 30 April 2018 at 10:45 am at the UN Coordination Office in Podgorica (UN Eco House, Stanka Dragojevica bb, 81000 Podgorica Montenegro
www.un.org.me), to share preliminary findings with the media.

The Independent Expert will present her findings and recommendations of her country visit in a report to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2018.

ENDS

Ms. Rosa Kornfeld-Matte (Chile) was appointed by Human Rights Council as the first Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons in May 2014. Ms. Kornfeld-Matte served as the National Director of the Chilean National Service of Ageing where she designed and implemented the National Policy of Ageing. She has a long career as an academic and is the founder of the programme for older persons at the Pontificia Unversidad Católica de Chile. Learn more, visit: http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/ie-older-persons

The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

UN Human Rights, Country Page – Montenegro:
http://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/montenegro

For further information and media requests, please contact Mr. Khaled Hassine
(+41 22 917 93 67, during the visit +41(0)79-444 5515, khassine@ohchr.org) or write to olderpersons@ohchr.org 

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts please contact
Jeremy Laurence, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org)

This year, 2018, is the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN on 10 December 1948. The Universal Declaration – translated into a world record 500 languages – is rooted in the principle that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” It remains relevant to everyone, every day. In honour of the 70th anniversary of this extraordinarily influential document, and to prevent its vital principles from being eroded, we are urging people everywhere to Stand Up for Human Rights: www.standup4humanrights.org.