潘基文秘书长2012年认识虐待老年人问题世界日致辞（中英对照）

Secretary-General’s Message on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

认识虐待老年人问题世界日致辞

New York, 15 June 2012

2012年6月15日，纽约

The World Health Organization estimates that between 4 and 6 per cent of older persons worldwide have suffered from a form of elder abuse -- physical, emotional, financial.  Furthermore, emerging research suggests that abuse, neglect and violence against older persons, both at home and in institutions, are much more prevalent than currently acknowledged.

　　世界卫生组织估计，全世界4%至6%的老年人曾遭受某种形式的虐待，包括身体、精神、财务方面的虐待。此外，新近的研究表明，老年人在家中和机构中遭受虐待、忽视、暴力的普遍程度高于目前承认的程度。

Such abuse is an unacceptable attack on human dignity and human rights.  Making matters even worse, cases often remain unreported and unaddressed.

　　这种虐待是对人类尊严和人权的不可接受的侵害。更有甚者，仍有许多案件无人报告、得不到处理。

Alarmed at this widening problem, the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a new observance to be marked annually on 15 June.

　　联合国大会对这一日益普遍的问题感到震惊，现已宣布一个新纪念活动，即每年6月15日的认识虐待老年人问题世界日。

Respect for elders is an integral part of many societies.  As people live longer, and as we strive for sustainable and inclusive development, it is time to revive and expand our appreciation for those who have advanced in years.  A modern civilization can only live up to that name if it preserves the tradition of honouring, respecting and protecting society’s elders.

　　敬老是许多社会不可分割的一部分。随着人类寿命延长，随着我们努力实现可持续和包容性发展，现已到了恢复和加强对老年人的尊敬的时候。现代文明只有保持敬仰、尊重、保护社会上老年人的传统，才对得起这个称号。

As we commemorate the Day for the first time, let us all join in reaffirming that the human rights of older persons are as absolute as those of all human beings.

　　在首次纪念这个日子之际，让我们大家共同重申，老年人的人权如所有人权一样不容置疑。

I call upon Governments and all concerned actors to design and carry out more effective prevention strategies and stronger laws and policies to address all aspects of elder abuse.  Let us work together to optimize living conditions for older persons and enable them to make the greatest possible contribution to our world.

　　我呼吁各国政府和所有相关行为方为解决虐待老年人问题的方方面面制定和执行更有效的预防战略以及更有力的法律与政策。让我们共同努力优化老年人的生活条件，使他们能为世界作出尽可能大的贡献。