Ratification ceremony for the Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons

Ratification ceremony for the Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons

The Foreign Ministry announces that the Mexican government has deposited the instrument of ratification of the Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons.

The ratification ceremony was attended by older adults; Social Welfare Secretary Adriana Montiel; Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights Martha Delgado; Undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean Maximiliano Reyes; the President of the Social Welfare and Social Development Commission, Senator Marcela Mora; and the Uruguayan ambassador in Mexico, Aníbal Cabral.

The Convention is the first legal instrument on the human rights of older adults. It aims to protect, promote and ensure the full enjoyment and exercise of their human rights, on an equal basis, and to ensure the inclusion and participation of older adults in society. After its deposit, it will enter into force for Mexico 30 days after the date of deposit, which was March 28, in accordance with Article 37 of the Convention.

Social Welfare Secretary Ariadna Montiel noted "the importance this administration gives to the elderly, recognizing their rights. That is why the Bienestar Pension is now a right for these people and is an integral part of transforming the lives of older adults, which is a priority group for the Government of Mexico." Senator Marcela Mora acknowledged "the progress made and commitment of this Administration with the elderly," emphasizing that the Bienestar Pension is a right for this segment of the population.

In her remarks, Undersecretary Delgado said, "the contribution of this Convention comes not only from the rights contained in it, but also from the fact that it seeks to raise awareness about the importance of recognizing the rights of older adults, and of recognizing their valuable contribution to society." She noted that, "In keeping with the commitment of the Mexican government to the human rights of all people, especially the elderly, so far this Administration has ratified seven international instruments related to this issue."[i]

She added that "Mexico will continue to promote a human rights policy that recognizes the valuable contributions, actual and potential, of older adults to our social well-being and cultural identity; to the diversity of their communities; and to the human, social, economic and political development of the country."

On behalf of the older adults present at the ceremony, Alicia Martínez said the Bienestar Pension has allowed her to purchase medicines, cover expenses for her family, and makes her feel safer and happier, since she no longer depends on other people. She said, 'Now, I'm aware that the Bienestar Pension is a right, because older people have contributed a lot to this country, and they still have a lot to give, so I am very pleased that there are more national and international laws that protect their rights; for me, the Bienestar Pension is a hug from my country."

Aníbal Cabral, ambassador of Uruguay, the first country to ratify the Convention, spoke on behalf of all of the countries that have already ratified it, expressing his "heartfelt congratulations to Mexico for having done so recently, since, like other Latin American countries, Mexico is a pioneer in the issue of the human rights of older adults."

In his remarks, the Director General of Human Rights and Democracy, Cristopher Ballinas, noted that "the Foreign Ministry is committed to human rights and especially those of people in vulnerable situations, among whom are the elderly. They deserve not only our admiration but also all our respect, because they watch over our societies, collaborate with the family, take care of our environment, maintain and transmit the cultural and gastronomic expressions of our societies and are the repository of popular wisdom."

In accordance with Article 33 of the Convention, now that Mexico has deposited its instrument of ratification, a Follow-up Mechanism will be established, comprised of a Conference of States Parties and a Committee of Experts. Mexico will attend the first Conference of States Parties that is convened, with the leadership that has characterized our country in these forums.

[i]The Inter-American Convention Against All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance; the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Forms of Intolerance; the Instrument of Acceptance containing the Declaration of the United Mexican States to recognize the competence of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances to receive and examine the communications presented by persons who are under its jurisdiction or on their behalf, in accordance with Article 31 of the Convention; the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (Escazú Agreement); the ILO Domestic Workers Convention (No. 189); ILO Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190); and the Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons.