Every year on 1 October, the world observes the International Day of Older Persons. On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution 45/106, designated 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons. This followed the adoption of the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing by the World Assembly on Ageing in 1982 and its subsequent endorsement by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 37/51 of 3 December 1982.
The observance aims to highlight the rights of older persons and reaffirm their right to healthcare, social protection, and to live in a safe environment free from violence, neglect, and exploitation.
The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) affirms that protecting the rights of older persons requires the adoption of an integrated human rights-based approach that goes beyond the concept of care to ensure their independence and participation, respond to their diverse needs, and promote their equal enjoyment of rights. The Centre monitors the rights of older persons and accords particular attention to these rights, recognizing older persons as among the groups most in need of protection. It has maintained this commitment since commencing its work on 1 June 2003.
In this context, the Centre welcomes the guarantees enshrined in Article 6 of the Jordanian Constitution, which establishes the principle of equality in rights and duties among Jordanians. Paragraph 5 of the same Article further affirms that the law shall protect the rights of older persons and prevent abuse and exploitation.
The Social Development Law of 2024 also identifies groups in need of care and protection, including older persons and homeless persons, and regulates the procedures for licensing, monitoring, and supervising social care institutions and residential care facilities, including care homes for older persons. Relevant regulations and instructions governing the implementation of the Law have also been issued.
At the policy level, the Executive Plan for the Jordanian National Strategy for Older Persons 2025–2027 has been issued. It addresses a range of areas, including empowerment and participation, healthcare, social and legal protection, prevention of violence, abuse and neglect, and the creation of supportive and age-friendly environments.
National efforts have also included expanding the establishment of day clubs for older persons across the Kingdom, as well as measures to improve the accessibility of public transportation for older persons and persons with disabilities. The NCHR continues to receive complaints concerning violations of the rights of older persons and to follow up on them with the relevant authorities. In addition, a committee has been formed to implement the “Amman: Age-Friendly City” project, alongside other developments reflecting the continued attention given to older persons by the Centre and relevant stakeholders.
The NCHR stresses the need to strengthen Jordan’s role in efforts aimed at developing an international convention on the rights of older persons, similar to international conventions addressing the rights of groups particularly in need of protection. The Centre also calls for the adoption of specific legislation on the rights of older persons to establish the legal framework necessary for their protection, in line with regional and international efforts to protect and promote their rights and ensure appropriate protection and care.
The Centre further emphasizes the importance of continuing to expand day clubs for older persons throughout all governorates of the Kingdom and ensuring their participation in national plans and strategies related to the Sustainable Development Goals. It also calls for programmes that encourage the business and private sectors to assume a greater share of social responsibility and provide material, moral, psychological, social, and legal support to care homes for older persons.
The Centre also calls for practical alternatives and solutions to residential care homes for older persons and for greater support to entities providing care and companionship services, as well as in-home nursing services. Placement of older persons in residential care facilities should be limited to exceptional circumstances, while ensuring that equivalent services are provided at the same level of quality.
The Centre further calls for the establishment of a specialized training institute for the care of older persons, staffed by qualified educators and trainers, which could serve as a foundation for the future provision of volunteer-based home care services.
The NCHR renews its call for continued national efforts to promote the rights and safeguard the dignity of older persons through the effective implementation of the Executive Plan for the Jordanian National Strategy for Older Persons, the further development of relevant legislation and policies, strengthened protection against violence, neglect and exploitation, and the provision of appropriate healthcare, social and psychological services.
The Centre further emphasizes the importance of creating accessible environments, facilities, and services and ensuring the meaningful participation of older persons in decisions affecting their rights and lives, thereby enabling them to live with dignity, safety, and independence and strengthening their role as active partners in society.
