Older people urged to use Human Rights Act to fight discrimination

Older people’s charity Help the Aged is encouraging older people
and their advocates to use the Human Rights Act 1998 to ensure
equality in society and end discrimination.

In a report launched last week, the charity highlights the
sections of the act that are most relevant to older people’s rights
and urges advocacy groups to think about the power they have in
making arguments on behalf of older clients.

Based on issues raised at a conference in September, the report
offers practical advice on using the act, with the intention of
making it as accessible as possible to users and older people.

Head of policy at Help the Aged Tessa Harding said: “The Human
Rights Act is an important turning point for older people.

“Not only does it establish the rights of individuals – to
freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment, to private and family
life, and so on – but it also prohibits discrimination in assessing
these rights.

“We expect older people and their advocates to use the act to
ensure greater fairness and equality in our society.”

Residents Action Group for the Elderly (RAGE) in Birmingham will
appear before the High Court in June.

They will use the act to argue that council plans to transfer 30
residential care homes to a private trust breach protocols
governing the right to life, respect for family life, and the right
to protection against degrading or inhuman treatment.

The Human Rights Act, What are the Implications for Older
People from 020 7239 1946.