Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 83
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Such targeting and prioritizing requires States to take differences into account rather than treating equally what is unequal. Treating people who are unequal the same does not achieve equality, but instead reinforces disadvantage. For persons with disabilities, article 5, paragraph 3, of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities explicitly requires States to "take all appropriate steps to ensure that reasonable accommodation is provided". Where States adopt temporary special measures or affirmative action to achieve such prioritization and target disadvantaged groups and individuals, this is not discrimination, but rather a means to achieve substantive equality by redistributing power and resources.
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Non-negotiated soft law
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Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation