Renowned Slovenian neurologist Zvezdan Pirtošek has been appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council as its new independent expert on the rights of older persons, marking a significant international recognition. His three-year mandate, beginning on 1 May, will involve monitoring how elderly people’s rights are respected worldwide and advising governments on policies that promote dignified ageing.
Pirtošek, a leading expert in dementia and brain ageing and a long-time professor at the University of Ljubljana , emphasised that the role goes beyond medicine.
He described it as a broader human rights issue, highlighting the need to strengthen global awareness of the challenges faced by ageing populations. His work will include country visits, assessments of healthcare and social protection systems, and regular reporting to UN bodies.
During his mandate, Pirtošek is expected to focus particularly on vulnerable situations, including conflicts, pandemics and displacement, where older populations are often disproportionately affected. Slovenian officials, including President Nataša Pirc Musar and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, welcomed the appointment as recognition of both his work and Slovenia’s longstanding efforts to advance global standards for the protection of elderly people’s rights.
