On 24/12/2024, Ms Katrin Langensiepen, the UN Independent Expert on the Human Rights of Older Persons and AGE Platform Europe organised an informal exchange in the European Parliament during the EP’s Disability Rights Week. The week was an opportunity to reflect on the intersection of ageism and ableism, as well as highlighting the recent reports of the Independent Expert.

‘Persons with disabilities and older persons have many challenges in common’

Katrin Langensiepen, MEP

‘Both persons with disabilities and older persons are made invisible’

Dr Claudia Mahler, UN Independent Expert on the Human Rights of Older Persons

‘Sometimes, persons are deprived of their legal capacity on the basis that they cannot use a certain application’

Nena Gerogantzi, Human Rights Manager for AGE Platform Europe

Some member states have put into place good practices for supported decision-making, but others still allow for repriving of legal capacity

Marine Uldry, European Disability Forum

‘Older persons and persons with disabilities matter to many MEPs, so it should be possible to improve the protection of their rights and find alliances in this EP’

Idoia Mendía, MEP

More information

• Full event report
•  UN Independent Expert report on legal capacity and informed consent
•  UN Independent Expert report on ageism and age discrimination
• Joint policy paper on lessons for the protection of the human rights of older persons in the European Union
• EDF Human Rights Report 2024 – Legal capacity: Personal choice and control
• AGE contribution to the EU disability rights strategy
• AGE paper on the implementation of the Council recommendation on long-term care