The human rights of older peoples in Asia

Rapid population ageing in Asia is disrupting societies, economies and governments and in the process, creating opportunities and barriers to the full realisation of human rights for older peoples. This chapter commences by offering an introduction to population ageing and human rights in Asia, with a focus on issues of ageism and elder abuse. In mapping inadequacies within the existing international legal protection framework, leading soft laws such as the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing are then discussed with reference to ASEAN regional ageing initiatives. Identifying that the path to the full realisation of human rights for older peoples in Asia is inextricably linked to development agendas, it is argued that a new international instrument specific to the rights of older peoples would be unlikely to receive wide ratification in Asia. Accordingly, areas such as aged care, geriatric healthcare and robotics are briefly examined for their potential to improve human rights in an ageing Asia, provided these emerging sectors are appropriately regulated.