MEP Presses EU Ministers to Protect Elderly People from Abuse
September 7, 2006 3:35 PM
Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Liz Lynne and co-president of the European Parliament's Intergroup on Ageing yesterday challenged the European Council of Ministers to close legal loopholes in many Member States that leave older people open to abuse.
Elder abuse, reportedly witnessed by 88% of careworkers in the UK, refers to harm or mistreatment of an older person, often by someone they trust. It can be physical, psychological, financial or sexual or in the form of neglect. It is believed to be affecting over 500,000 people in the UK at any one time.
Liz tabled a question to the Council of Ministers for an oral answer in the European Parliament's question time session yesterday. Liz said:
"Elder abuse is a major problem across the EU. As many as 10 percent of those aged 60 and older will be likely to experience some form of abuse before they die. It happens in personal homes, residential and nursing homes, hospitals, and day centres. This is, quite simply, a violation of basic human rights and it happens every single day."
"This is something that needs to be a priority on the EU agenda at all levels and much more research is needed to evaluate the scale of the problem in all Member States."
"It is vital that Members States close loopholes that exempt those in the private care sector benefiting from laws meant to protect them. In the UK the Human Rights Act does not apply to those who receive privately funded care, this is unacceptable."
"Member States across the EU must learn from each other in order to raise standards and the levels of protection afforded to our older citizens."
Editor's Notes
Liz Lynne's question to the Council of Minister's read:
In spite of the Toronto Declaration from the World Health Organization and the United Nations' mention of the abuse of older people in the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, member states have implemented legislation that deals with the related issue of domestic violence but that omits specific reference to protection for vulnerable older people.
The private care sector, for example, is not sufficiently covered by the current legal framework in many member states. This can be seen in the UK, where the Human Rights Act does not apply to those who receive privately funded care.
Will the Council urge the member states to close these legal loopholes and respect the basic human rights of their older citizens?
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats