LA PROTECCIÓN DE CATEGORÍAS DE PERSONAS ESPECIALMENTE VULNERABLES EN EL DERECHO ESPAÑOL

Abstract

In declarations of economic and social rights it is common to fi nd regulations concerning the protection of certain categories of particularly vulnerable individuals. Th is includes very diverse types of regulations: the recognition of specifi c rights, guiding principles and mandates for public authorities, and regulations in Anti-discrimination Law. Th is paper provides an overview of these regulations in International and European Law, as well as in Spanish Law (state and regional), with reference to three categories: children and adolescents, the elderly and people with disabilities. Regulatory developments in recent years refl ect the transition from preferably protective, benefi ts based regulations to ones that, while not neglecting that aspect, have a bearing on the concept of integration and pursue the elimination of all forms of discrimination against particularly vulnerable people, as well as the full enjoyment of their rights and their eff ective participation in social, political, economic and cultural life.