A/HRC/15/31
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
29 June 2010
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Fifteenth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Report of the independent expert on the issue of human
rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and
sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque
Summary
The independent expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to
safe drinking water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque, submits the present report to
the Human Rights Council in accordance with Council resolution 7/22. In the report, the
independent expert focuses on the human rights obligations and responsibilities which
apply in cases of non-State service provision of water and sanitation. She begins with an
overview of the role that non-State service providers play in delivering water and sanitation
throughout the world. She continues by outlining the human rights obligations of States and
the responsibilities of non-State service providers and highlights three main areas where
challenges can be faced in this regard: decision-making, operation of services, and
accountability and enforcement.
In the present report, the independent expert emphasizes that the human rights
framework does not express a preference over models of service provision, but insists that
in all instances, the human rights to water and sanitation be guaranteed. The final section of
the report contains conclusions and recommendations.
GE.10-14831