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Autonomy and Capacity: About Human Rights of Older Persons in Dependency Situations

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Abstract

This paper discusses the scope of the current Argentine legal model concerned with autonomy of older people who are in a state of dependency, as part of the Elder Law. So, it studies the juridical system of capacity and will -significant components of personal autonomy- and analyzes the regime of adult guardianship, support systems, assistance and representation for older people. To fulfill these aims, the research takes into account the new Argentine Civil and Commercial Code -which comes into force from August 2015-; the National Rights of Patients Act (No. 26,529) and the National Mental Health Act (No. 26,657). This article considers too the evolution of jurisprudence in this area and contemplates the connection of the normative system and judicial decisions with the Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons, approved by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) on June 15 2015. Finally, in this paper it is considered the importance of the actual development of the International Convention on Human Rights of Older Persons of the United Nations to this field.

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Notes

  1. Argentine Civil and Commercial Code, ACCC 2015 Available at http://www.boletinoficial.gov.ar/ (Accessed Nov. 10 2015)

  2. Old ACC – Article 152 bis: You can legally disabled (inability):1) Those who by habitual drunkenness or drug use are exposed to grant legal acts detrimental to your person or property.2 ) At its powers diminished when not to the case provided for in Article 141 of this Code, the judge considers that the exercise of their full capacity can be presumed damage to his person or property.3) Those who by prodigality in acts of administration and disposition of its assets exposed his family to the loss of heritage. In this case, only proceeds the disqualification if the person concerned hath spouse, parents or children and any squandered an important part of their heritage. The action for this disqualification shall be restricted to the spouse, ascendants and descendants. A guardian will be appointed to the disabled and the rules relating to the declaration of disability and rehabilitation dementia apply as appropriate. Without the consent of the disabled curator may not dispose of their property by “inter vivos”. The disabled may grant themselves acts of administration, except that limits disqualification sentence given the circumstances.(Article incorporated by Article 1 of Law No. 17,711 BO 04/26/1968). Available from http://www.infoleg.gov.ar/infoleginternet/anexos/105000-109999/109481/texact.htm (Accessed Jan. 23, 2015).

  3. Old ACC—Article 152 ter: judicial declarations of disqualification or disability shall be based on a review of faculty comprised. Of interdisciplinary assessments. They may not be imposed for more than three (3) years and shall specify the functions and actions that are limited, ensuring that the interference with personal autonomy is the least possible. (Jan. 23, 2015, 9:30 AM). Available from http://www.infoleg.gov.ar/infoleginternet/anexos/105000-109999/109481/texact.htm. (Accessed Feb. 25, 2015).

  4. Available from http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml (Accessed Jan. 21, 2015).

  5. CRPD -Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Available from http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml (Article 12: Equal recognition before the law. 1. States parties reaffirm that persons with disabilities have the right to recognition everywhere as persons before the law. 2. States parties will recognize that persons with disabilities enjoy legal capacity on an equal basis with others in all aspects of life. 3. States parties will take appropriate measures to provide access by persons with disabilities to the support they may require in exercising their legal capacity.4. States parties will ensure that all measures relating to the exercise of legal capacity appropriate and effective safeguards are provided to prevent abuse in accordance with international human rights law. Such safeguards shall ensure that measures relating to the exercise of legal capacity respect the rights, will and preferences of the person, that there is no conflict of interest and undue influence, that they are proportional and tailored to the circumstances of the individual, that they be implemented in the shortest possible time and that they are subject to regular review by an authority or a competent, independent and impartial judiciary. The safeguards will be proportional to the degree to which such measures affect the rights and interests of individuals.5. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article, States parties will take all measures that are relevant and effective to guarantee the right of persons with disabilities, on an equal basis with others, to own and inherit property, to control their own financial affairs and to have equal access to bank loans, mortgages and other forms of financial credit, and will ensure that persons with disabilities are not deprived arbitrarily of their property. (Accessed Jan. 21, 2015).

  6. Article 11: Any capable adult can have advance directives about their health and may consent or refuse certain medical, preventive or palliative treatments, and decisions concerning their health. The directives must be accepted by the physician in charge, except those involving euthanasia. Available from http://www.infoleg.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/160000-164999/160432/norma.htm (Accessed Nov. 10 2015).

  7. ACCC—Article 32. Person with restricted capacity and incapacity: The judge may restrict the capacity for certain acts of a person older than thirteen who suffers addiction or a permanent or prolonged mental impairment of sufficient severity, if they consider that the exercise of their full capacity can be damaging to his person or property. In connection with those acts, the judge should designate appropriate support or assistance according to Article 43, specifying the functions with reasonable adjustments based on the needs and circumstances of the person. Supports allocated should promote the autonomy and favor the decisions that respond to the preferences of the protected person. Exceptionally, when the person is absolutely unable to interact with their environment and express their will by any means, medium or appropriate format and support system, the judge may declare the incapacity and appoint a curator.

  8. ACCC—Article 24. Persons incapable of exercise: A). the unborn person; B) the person who does not have the age and a sufficient maturity, to the extent provided in “ Autonomy and Capacity in an Ageing World: to the Elder Law ” of this Chapter; C) the person declared incapable by court, to the extent disposed in that decision. Article 32. Person with restricted capacity and incapacity: Exceptionally, when the person is absolutely unable to interact with their environment and express their will by any means, medium or appropriate format and support system, the judge may declare the incapacity and appoint a curator.

  9. ACCC – Article 48: Prodigals. A person may be under inability because of prodigality if he or she exposes his or her spouse, partner or underage or disabled children, to loss of their heritage, because of hi or hers management. A person is considered a disabled person, who has a permanent or long-term physical or mental functional impairment, which in relation to their age and social environment entails considerable disadvantage for their family, or for their social, educational or professional integration.

  10. Old ACC, Article 152 bis. Available from http://www.infoleg.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/105000-109999/109481/texact.htm (Accessed Nov. 10 2015).

  11. Old ACC, Article 152 ter. Available from http://www.infoleg.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/105000-109999/109481/texact.htm (Accessed Nov. 10 2015).

  12. Id. art. 12:60. Article 49. Effects. The declaration of inability necessitates the appointment of supports, which should assist the disabled person in the making of dispositions, inter vivos acts and other acts that the court specifies in its order Article 50. Cessation of inability. Cessation of inability can be ordered by the judge that declared it, after considering an interdisciplinary examination that favours the restoration of the person’s autonomy. If restoration is not complete, the judge can extend the list of acts that the person can do alone or only with support.

  13. Available from http://www.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/235000-239999/235975/texact.htm (Accessed Nov. 10 2015)

  14. Available from http://www.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/235000-239999/235975/texact.htm (Accessed Nov. 10 2015)

  15. Available from http://www.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/235000-239999/235975/texact.htm (Accessed Nov. 10 2015)

  16. “F. de G. B., A. C. s/ inability” (Argentina. Cámara Nacional Civil de Buenos Aires, Sala D, junio 22, 1982) La Ley A 1983, 313–316

  17. “E. de R., N. s/ inability” (Argentina. Cámara Nacional Civil de Buenos Aires, June 1, 2004). La Ley 18/08/2004, 10.

  18. “S., L. F., D F y P, s/ incapacity” (Argentina. Cámara de Apelaciones Civil y Comercial de Junín, September, 22, 2009). La Ley online 2010, 214.

  19. “S., L. F., D F y P, s/ incapacity” (Argentina. Cámara de Apelaciones Civil y Comercial de Junín, September, 22, 2009). La Ley online 2010, 214. “M., D. N. s /inability” (Argentina. Juzgado Nacional en lo Civil N°88, octubre 4, 2014).

  20. “M. M.P. de V.s/ inability” (Argentina. Cámara Nacional Civil de Buenos Aires. Sala G, diciembre 4, 1980). La Ley B 1981, 23–26.

  21. “M. M.P. de V.s/ inability” (Argentina. Cámara Nacional Civil de Buenos Aires. Sala G, diciembre 4, 1980). La Ley B 1981, 23–26.

  22. “J. L. del V. s/ inability” (Argentina. Cámara Nacional Civil de Apelaciones de Buenos Aires. Sala C, August 12,1985). La Ley E 1985, 47.

  23. “J. L. del V. s/ inability” (Argentina. Cámara Nacional Civil de Apelaciones de Buenos Aires. Sala C, August 12,1985). La Ley E 1985, 47.

  24. “J. L. del V. s/ inability” (Argentina. Cámara Nacional Civil de Apelaciones de Buenos Aires. Sala C, August 12,1985). La Ley E 1985, 47.

  25. “L., A. D. s/ curatela”, Cámara Civil y Comercial de Mar del Plata, Sala 3ª, February, 24, 2011 (Lexis N° 70068178).

  26. Available from http://www.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/235000-239999/235975/texact.htm (Accessed Nov. 10 2015)

  27. Argentina. Corte Suprema de Justicia de la Nación. 2012. Recurso de hecho deducido por J. P. B. en la causa “B., J. M. s/insania” para decidir sobre su procedencia. Expte. B-241. Año 2010. Tomo 46. Sentencia 12 de junio de 2012. Available from http://www.csjn.gov.ar (Accessed Nov. 10 2015).

  28. C., M. s/Article 152 ter Código Civil” (Argentina. Juzgado Nacional en lo Civil N°7, Junio 18, 2012). Expte. 99.247/1996.

  29. C, M. s/Article 152 ter Código Civil” (Argentina. Juzgado Nacional en lo Civil N°7, Junio 18, 2012). Expte. 99.247/1996.

  30. M., D. N. s /inability” (Argentina. Juzgado Nacional en lo Civil N°88, Octubre 4, 2014).

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Correspondence to María Isolina Dabove.

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This study was funded by “Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas—CONICET” Resolutions 3575/10 y 4461/15.

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Dabove, M.I. Autonomy and Capacity: About Human Rights of Older Persons in Dependency Situations. Ageing Int 42, 335–353 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-016-9272-4

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