According to the association, in some countries it is proposed to ban the free movement of older people and the adoption of age-related measures runs counter to human rights. “For reasons of age it can be recommended, it can never be banned and, less so, punished.”

On the other hand, ‘Elkarrekin Etorri’ is very concerned about the impact that the health crisis may have on the economy. “Great responsibility and solidarity will be needed to face the future,” they say, “but we will never accept economic recipes similar to the 2008 fraud crisis.”

Finally, they point out that they will continue to fight for decent public pensions. “Working for a more just and supportive society, for each person to have their basic needs assured and to achieve a more sustainable and balanced world.”

Bat Etorri Association calls for older people not to be discriminated against by reducing confinement

Here is the message sent by the association ‘Bat Etorri’:

RESPONSIBLE AND DEMANDING WITH OUR RIGHTS

In some countries, it has been assessed that, even on the arrival of the hour, the free movement of the elderly is prevented and reduced. The establishment of discriminatory measures based on the criterion of age is an attack on human rights. That would be a rigorous and unfair decision. Let us hope that the political and health authorities that govern us forget and reject age discrimination in a common sense. It can be recommended for reasons of age, it can never be forbidden and punished less. The sense of responsibility is the basis of our behavior. We're worried about our health. So are those in our environment who take care of our health and our daily needs. Older people should work on physical exercise. Our body claims it is able to maintain muscle tone and balance. Elderly people frequently perform sports activities of resistance, often recommended for health reasons. Older people should work on physical exercise. Our body claims it is able to maintain muscle tone and balance. Elderly people frequently perform sports activities of resistance, often recommended for health reasons.

In the end, when isolation is removed or reduced, we demand that there be no age-based restrictions. We call for them to be treated as people with full rights and obligations. All security measures should be allowed to remain in place as soon as possible. It will certainly not be necessary to encourage the “rebellion of white hair”.

We are very concerned about the impact that the health crisis may have on the economy and on companies, workers, the self-employed, SMEs … and on employment. This will worsen in the coming months. A great deal of responsibility and solidarity will be needed to face the future. But we're never going to accept economic recipes like the 2008 scam crisis, where the grazers were the social majority and while the privileged elites multiplied their fortunes. The way out of this new crisis must be to put people’s problems and rights at the centre. Enormous economic resources must be released so that businesses, the self-employed, SMEs can re-produce, without cutting rights, and so that all people have a dignified life, including pensioners. And that funding does not have to increase the debt, nor accept further cuts and lose rights.

Of course, we will continue to fight for decent public pensions. Working for a more just and supportive society where everyone has their basic needs secured and a more sustainable and balanced world.