Background

The United Nations Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, Dr. Zvezdan Pirtošek, is collecting information from all relevant stakeholders in preparation for his official visit to Spain, which is scheduled to take place from 16 to 27 November 2026.

Objectives

At the invitation of the Government of Spain, the United Nations Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, Dr. Zvezdan Pirtošek, will conduct an official country visit to Spain from 16 to 27 November 2026.

During this visit, the Independent Expert will assess the human rights situations of older persons and progress in the implementation of the State’s obligations to ensure the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. He will also identify challenges and formulate recommendations to the State and relevant stakeholders, related to the realization of all human rights of older persons.

Following the country visit, the Independent Expert will present a report with his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the State concerned at the Human Rights Council. The conclusions and recommendations made by the Independent Expert are a useful tool for authorities to advance measures to ensure the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.

The Independent Expert will begin the visit in Madrid and then will travel to other autonomous communities and provinces, including in both urban and rural areas, in order to gain a first-hand understanding of issues related to older persons’ enjoyment of their human rights. During his visit, and as a means of gathering information from all relevant stakeholders, he will convene meetings with government officials, as well as representatives of non-governmental and civil society organizations, the national human rights institution and ombudsperson institutions, community-based groups, and older persons themselves.

At the end of the visit, the Independent Expert will debrief relevant Government officials on his preliminary findings, and in line with established practice, he will also hold a press conference in order to share the preliminary findings with the broader public. Additional information on the venue and time of the press conference will be shared prior to the visit.

The Independent Expert will submit a full report on the country visit to the Human Rights Council in 2027, to be presented at its 66th session in September 2027.

Key questions and types of input/comments sought

In preparation of the visit, the Independent Expert invites all interested individuals and organizations from or with expertise on the situation in Spain, including national human rights and ombudsperson institutions, international organizations, civil society organizations, activists, academics and older persons themselves, to provide input for the preparation of his visit.

Particularly useful information could include:

• Detailed information on existing policies, programmes, and legal frameworks in Spain pertaining to the human rights of older persons;
• Recent analytical reports or surveys specifically related to human rights of older persons in Spain;
• Priority issues, concerns, and/or situations that may warrant the attention of the Independent Expert during his visit, including any recommendations of potential remedies;
• Key issues to examine and related places to visit, as relevant to the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons;
• Suggestions of Government institutions or officials, civil society organizations, community associations, older persons with lived experience, or others to meet with in Spain for information relevant to the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.

While all submissions are welcome and the below points are not meant to be exhaustive, the Independent Expert would be grateful to receive comments that address topics such as the following:

• Legal, institutional and policy frameworks supporting the human rights of older persons in Spain;
• Conceptualization of ageism and age discrimination, and measures taken to address those in Spain;
• Particular situations of older persons in relation to the realization and enjoyment of their civil, cultural, economic, political, and/or social rights, including:
  • Violence, maltreatment, and abuse against older persons;
  • Adequate standard of living, with respect to the independence and autonomy of older persons, including the right to adequate food, housing, and clothing, among others, in the context of rising costs of living;
  • The accessibility, affordability and quality of home-based, community-based and residential long-term care, including support for informal caregivers and safeguards against neglect, abuse and inappropriate restraint;
  • The right to health of older persons, including in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath;
  • The rights of older persons living with dementia or other forms of cognitive impairment, particularly autonomy, legal capacity, supported decision-making, participation and access to appropriate health, care and support services;
  • Social protection and the right to social security, including social protection floors and the pension system;
  • Access to justice for older persons;
  • The rights of older persons to economic security, to work, and to access the labor market;
  • Education, training and lifelong learning of older persons;
  • Transportation, infrastructure and public spaces for older persons;
  • Access to new technologies in communication and information and digitalization of older persons;
  • Participation, consultation and involvement of older persons and organizations or associations of older persons in decision-making processes;
  • The effects of climate change and environmental emergencies, including heatwaves, wildfires and floods, and the inclusion of older persons in preparedness, evacuation and recovery measures;
  • The situation of older migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, including any barriers related to legal status, language, continuity of care and access to health and social services;
  • Intersectionality and ageing, with a specific attention to specific groups including, among others: older women; older persons with disabilities; older persons experiencing homelessness; older persons living in poverty; older persons belonging to historic nationalities or ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities; older persons seeking or receiving refugee or asylum protection; older persons with diverse sexual orientations or gender identities; etc.;
  • Regional and territorial specificities, including differences among autonomous communities in the realization of older persons’ human rights and in access to health care, long-term care, social protection, housing and justice, as well as linguistic accessibility in areas with co-official languages.

How inputs will be used?

All inputs will be treated confidentially by the Independent Expert and his team, and for the sole purpose of preparing for the country visit.

Reports, academic studies and other types of background materials can be attached as annexes to the submission.

The Independent Expert greatly appreciates the effort that goes into making such contributions and looks forward to reading the submissions.