A/HRC/24/25 76. Ms. Bashtovenko described a project carried out by her organization that focused on monitoring the conditions of incarcerated older persons, including their living conditions, access to medical and social services, and the degree to which prison staff received specific training on working with older persons. Ms. Brunne underlined the need for a better understanding of violence against older persons through evidence-based research, in order to inform policymaking. Ms. Minja stressed the limited response of public authorities to end violence against older persons, and emphasized that a specific international instrument calling for action and requiring reporting might put some pressure on countries to act on this issue. IV. Conclusions 77. Ageing is a global phenomenon. Older persons, as a group, are a rapidly growing sector of our societies, developed and developing, and the trend is increasing everywhere. Human rights should guide the policies developed to ensure that older persons enjoy a dignified life. The experiences discussed during the consultation showed both areas where action was urgently needed, and examples of specific measures taken at the national and regional levels. 78. While most international human rights instruments are applicable to all age groups, including older persons, a number of human rights issues that are particularly relevant to older persons have not been given sufficient attention either in the wording of existing human rights instruments or in the practice of human rights bodies and mechanisms. These include, inter alia, age discrimination, access by older persons to work, adequate health services and social protection, protection from abuse, violence and neglect, and long-term care. 16