A/69/213
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe
drinking water and sanitation
Summary
The Special Rapporteur submits the present report to the General Assembly in
accordance with Human Rights Council resolutions 16/2 and 21/2. The report
focuses on the right to participation in the context of realizing the right to safe
drinking water and sanitation, emphasizing that States have an obliga tion to ensure
participation. The importance of participation has long been recognized in the water
and sanitation sector. Excellent examples of participatory processes exist; however,
these are often isolated instances rather than institutionalized.
The Special Rapporteur seeks to provide guidance on what the right to
participation requires, what elements are essential for ensuring active, free and
meaningful participation, and what participation entails at various levels of decision making. She acknowledges that participatory processes are challenging. Most
significantly, when participatory processes do not address entrenched power
structures and marginalization, they risk reinforcing and “legitimizing” inequalities.
However, where participatory processes are meaningful and inclusive, the
improvements in sustainability and empowerment are significant.
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