Geneva, 20 September 2022 (TDI): Asia Baakada, Head of the Human Rights Department of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), delivered a speech at the session of HRC about safeguarding the lives of the elderly community, based on its established principles and values.

The 51st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC51) is taking place in Geneva and online from 12 September to 7 October 2022.

The opening of the 51st session of the Human Rights Council involves a global update on the human rights situation by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Asia Baakada delivered a speech, on Monday, at the 51st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council.

In her speech at the session, she emphasized the issue of the enjoyment of all human rights by the elderly in the KSA which is based on its established principles and values. Asia Baakada stressed that KSA has always placed the rights of the elderly as one of its top priorities. Their priorities, she stressed, are based on firm principles, lofty values, and sound foundations.

She said that “The priorities are based on firm principles, lofty values, and sound foundations. which have made respect and appreciation for the elderly an integral part of its moral and social system” of the KSA.

Talking about the laws and legislations the Kingdom has approved for the elderly community. She emphasized that the Kingdom has approved laws that guarantee the full rights of elderly people.

The laws stress the importance of this group in society, and the importance of preserving their dignity, protecting their rights, and achieving a decent life for them, she added in her speech at the 51st session of HRC.

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Elderly Laws in KSA

Article 27 of the Basic Law in the Kingdom preserves the rights of the elderly.

The article states, “The state guarantees the right of the citizen and his family, in the event of emergency, disease, disability, and old age, support the social security system and encourages institutions and individuals to contribute to charitable work.”

According to a UN report, those aged 65 and over made up around 3.4 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s population, a figure it predicted could reach 6 per cent by 2030.

The Council of Ministers approved the law for the protection of the rights of elderly people and their care in January 2022. Furthermore, the Cabinet’s approval of the law is regarded as a landmark initiative aimed at enhancing the status and well-being of the elderly.

The laws seek to maintain their security and safety, protect their rights, and ensure their proper family and community care. There are provisions in the law to protect the physical and psychological rights of elderly people. In addition, the Social Security Law supports institutions and individuals to contribute to charitable work.

On April 27 last year, the Shoura Council approved the draft law for the protection of older people’s rights in the Kingdom. Moreover, there are provisions in the law, with 21 articles, to enhance awareness around the rights of elderly people in society.

According to the draft law, it is not permitted to send an elderly man or woman to a shelter or care facility without their consent.

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