CHALLENGES OF THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS IN CROATIA WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
CHALLENGES OF THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS IN CROATIA WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Author(s): Mira Lulić, Davor Muhvić, Lora Vidović
Subject(s): International Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Security and defense, Health and medicine and law, Gerontology
Published by: Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Ekonomski fakultet u Osijeku
Keywords: older persons; human rights; international law; Croatia; COVID-19;
Summary/Abstract: With the trends of demographic aging being clearly expressed in this modern age, older persons legal protection has become complex and demanding. The number of older persons is growing continuously and the fastest of all other population groups. It is a very heterogeneous group whose members and their needs are very diverse. Despite this issue's growing relevance, the terminology used to refer to older people is still uneven and often inappropriate. There is neither a generally accepted nor a precise definition of an older person. The legal protection of older persons at the international level is still insufficient. An international treaty on the protection of the rights of older persons has not been adopted yet. This protection relies on the general protection of human rights and several non-binding international instruments. In the Republic of Croatia, older persons protection is based on several regulations from various sectors. It is noted that the problems in exercising their rights are diverse. The biggest problems faced by older persons in the Republic of Croatia fall within the scope of poverty and social exclusion, long-term care, health care, various forms of violence, ageism, stigma, and discrimination. In addition to all these complex and painful problems and the economic crisis that most countries have been going through in recent years, an additional dramatic deterioration in older persons’ status and rights has occurred with the COVID-19 pandemic. The problems older people faced at that time in such circumstances have been further exacerbated. Thus, older persons have been exposed to an increased risk of severe illness and death and the problems related to freedom of movement in general, access to health and social services, access to information, and exposure to ageism and discrimination.

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