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Older persons should not be scapegoats for Brexit: UN expert

Xinhua, July 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

The UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, on Tuesday deplored the wave of ageist attacks witnessed in the wake of Britain's referendum to leave the European Union, saying that old age should not be misused to challenge a person's political competence.

"We have seen a number of European national newspapers and social media outlets stigmatizing older persons as the scapegoats for Brexit and calling for restrictions on 'grey' votes," she said.

While explaining that the decision to leave the EU reportedly received strong support from voters over the age of 65, she mentioned that one magazine even suggested that the pensioners' right to vote should be taken away, just as their driver's licenses are, after they reach certain age.

"General exclusions of the exercise of certain rights based on age are unacceptable under international human rights law," the Independent Expert stressed, adding that the full respect of the equal right of all individuals in public life and decision-making is fundamental to a democratic society. Endite