# Advocacy for international older persons rights treaty > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/advocacy-for-international-older-persons-rights-treaty > Updated: 2026-10-20T12:52:40.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Advocates and international organizations are increasingly calling for a legally binding United Nations Convention to protect the human rights of older persons. The European Seniors’ Union (ESU) has promoted this initiative to address demographic challenges and social issues, such as the public health crisis of unwanted loneliness and social isolation. United Nations officials and advocates have highlighted significant gaps in current human rights frameworks. Data indicates that older persons are largely invisible in global monitoring; for instance, of more than 124,539 recommendations made through the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review since 2008, only 681 addressed the rights of older persons. Khaled Hassine, Secretary of the Inter-Governmental Working Group (IGWG) at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, noted that a lack of representation in official statistics and accountability mechanisms often leads to the specific needs of the elderly being overlooked in policymaking and public services. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-20: United Nations advocates call for treaty to protect older persons Human rights advocates are urging the UN to adopt a legally binding treaty for older persons, noting they represent only 0.5% of UN Human Rights Council recommendations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-nations-advocates-call-for-treaty-to-protect-older-persons ### 2026-09-29: European Seniors’ Union advocates for UN Convention on rights of older persons The European Seniors’ Union is advocating for a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons and addressing the global health crisis of social isolation during international forums in Nicosia. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-seniors-union-advocates-for-un-convention-on-rights-of-older-persons --- Cite as: Advocacy for international older persons rights treaty. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/advocacy-for-international-older-persons-rights-treaty