The UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, Claudia Mahler, will visit the Dominican Republic from 28 February to 10 March 2023.
“The population of the Dominican Republic is increasingly reaching an older age, due to positive developments such as better health care. As of 2021, almost 800,000 persons were aged over 65, representing 7% of the national population,” the expert said.
During her visit, Mahler will assess areas of concern such as social security and protection, age discrimination and ageism, abuse and violence against older persons, their living conditions, including housing arrangements and access to adequate health services, and their meaningful participation in the labour force and in public and political space. She will also focus on older persons’ rights in specific contexts, including emergency situations related to climate change and forced displacement.
She will visit the Dominican Republic at the invitation of the Government, and will hold discussions in Santo Domingo, Elías Piña, and San José de Ocoa with government representatives, UN presences, civil society organisations working with older persons, academics, and older persons.
The expert will hold a press conference on Friday 10 March at the UN House in Santo Domingo, to share her preliminary observations. Access will be strictly limited to journalists.
Mahler will present a full report of her country visit to the Human Rights Council in September 2023.
