Statement delivered by H.E. Andreas von Uexküll, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN, on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in the interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, United Nations, 21 October 2026
Chair,
The Nordic-Baltic countries welcome the Special Rapporteur's report on the arbitrary deprivation of life of older persons. We share the concern that ageism and the "invisibilization" of older persons can mask abuse and neglect and leave far too many unlawful deaths overlooked and underinvestigated.
The right to life is non-derogable and must be upheld for everyone, regardless of age. To this end, we note with interest your call for an addendum to the Minnesota Protocol to provide specialized guidance for investigations into potentially unlawful deaths of older persons.
Of particular concern is the evidence of gendered ageism. The fact that women comprise up to 70% of documented unlawful deaths among older persons reveals a systemic failure to recognize the lethal intersection of age and gender-based violence.
Special Rapporteur, what specific measures must States implement to ensure that unlawful deaths of older persons are prevented and investigated with the urgency and rigor required by international law?
