Persone anziane, vita indipendente e crisi globali contemporanee: limiti e prospettive della tutela internazionale dei diritti umani

This article examines the protection of older persons’ right to independent living in the context of contemporary global crises, from the perspective of international human rights law. After outlining the cultural, political and legal foundations of independent living, the paper analyses the current global and regional legal framework and the main emerging trends in the protection of older persons. The article then focuses on four critical scenarios: armed conflicts, migration, climate change and artificial intelligence. In each of these contexts, independent living is understood not only as a matter of care and assistance, but as a condition for autonomy, dignity, participation, continuity of care, cultural belonging and technological inclusion. The paper argues that global crises expose the limits of existing international protection, but also reveal the need to rethink older persons as active rights-holders. Independent living therefore becomes a key concept for strengthening the international protection of human rights in times of instability, displacement, environmental transformation and digital transition.