Briefing paper: The human rights situation of older persons in Ukraine in the context of the armed attack by the Russian Federation

This briefing paper addresses the human rights situation of older persons in the context of the ongoing armed attack by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Its findings, based on the work of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), cover the period from 24 February 2022 to 28 February 2023. While older persons were already facing vulnerabilities prior to 2022, the armed attack by the Russian Federation has led to a grave deterioration of their human rights, in particular their rights to life, social security, adequate housing, and health. HRMMU recognises the steps taken by the Ukrainian Government to protect and fulfill these rights, the significant challenges it faces, and the role of the international community in assisting the Government. The paper provides recommendations to the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the international community, including donors, to ensure that their actions and programmes reach older persons and contribute to realising their rights in a manner that reinforces their agency and dignity during hostilities, as well as in early recovery and reconstruction.