WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) -Three Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries have so far ratified the Inter-American Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Older Persons as the Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) urges regional countries to ensure that care facilities for old people are properly regulated and supervised to eradicate and prevent acts of violence.

In a statement, the IACHR, a principal and autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS), said on Tuesday that older individuals have the right to receive care without discrimination and with autonomy, independence, and security.

The IACHR said it welcomes the fact that each year more countries ratify the Inter-American Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Older Persons and is calling on those that have not yet done so, to demonstrate their commitment by signing and ratifying this instrument. Caricom countries that are parties to the Convention, join countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay that have done so.

The IACHR said during this year, publicly available information reported serious situations of violence and insecurity affecting the lives and integrity of older people residing in care facilities.

It said that it finds it alarming that more than 10 old individuals died as a result of fires in care facilities in different countries of the region.

“Likewise, the violations of integrity reported in several cases include physical, verbal, and psychological abuse by care staff in these residences; poor medication provision to residents, and unsanitary conditions and lack of cleaning supplies. Arbitrary limitations on the right to live an independent life were also reported through restrictions on mobility and access to outdoor areas,” said the IACHR.

It said that based on the information analysed, it notes that following official inspections some care centers were closed, their licences revoked, and residents relocated to other institutions.

It said criminal proceedings have also been initiated against individuals linked to acts of violence in the administration or provision of care.

The commission said it encourages the measures adopted by countries for supervision and oversight, while calling on them to strengthen these efforts in care facilities for older persons, to investigate the impacts on life, security, and integrity that occur in these places, and to provide accessible channels for filing complaints, where appropriate.

The Inter-American Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Older Persons provides that States Parties shall establish an adequate regulatory framework for the operation of long-term care services that allows for the evaluation and monitoring of the situation of old people.

In its report on the human rights of older people and national protection systems, the IACHR reiterated the need for member states to regulate and supervise the operation of care centers on an ongoing basis and to eradicate discriminatory patterns of institutionalisation of old people.

Recently, the Inter-American Court recognised the autonomous right to care and that guaranteeing this right obliges States to adopt measures to ensure access to quality care services and permanence in those services without discrimination when required, as well as to ensure that older persons can exercise self-care, respecting their autonomy and their right to live a life free from violence.