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Title | Date added | Template | Original document | Paragraph text | Body | Document type | Thematics | Topic(s) | Person(s) affected | Year |
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Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development 1994, para. 8.1 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | All countries should give priority to measures that improve the quality of life and health by ensuring a safe and sanitary living environment for all population groups through measures aimed at avoiding crowded housing conditions, reducing air pollution, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation, improving waste management, and increasing the safety of the workplace. Special attention should be given to the living conditions of the poor and disadvantaged in urban and rural areas. The impact of environmental problems on health, particularly that of vulnerable groups, should be monitored by Governments on a regular basis. | International Conference on Population and Development | Declaration / Confererence outcome document |
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| 1994 | ||
Third International Conference on Financing for Development: Addis Ababa Action Agenda 2015, para. 34 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | We further acknowledge that expenditures and investments in sustainable development are being devolved to the subnational level, which often lacks adequate technical and technological capacity, financing and support. We therefore commit to scaling up international cooperation to strengthen capacities of municipalities and other local authorities. We will support cities and local authorities of developing countries, particularly in least developed countries and small island developing States, in implementing resilient and environmentally sound infrastructure, including energy, transport, water and sanitation, and sustainable and resilient buildings using local materials. We will strive to support local governments in their efforts to mobilize revenues as appropriate. We will enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and strengthen economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning, within the context of national sustainable development strategies. We will work to strengthen debt management, and where appropriate to establish or strengthen municipal bond markets, to help subnational authorities to finance necessary investments. We will also promote lending from financial institutions and development banks, along with risk mitigation mechanisms, such as the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, while managing currency risk. In these efforts, we will encourage the participation of local communities in decisions affecting their communities, such as in improving drinking water and sanitation management. By 2020, we will increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change and resilience to disasters. We will develop and implement holistic disaster risk management at all levels in line with the Sendai Framework. In this regard, we will support national and local capacity for prevention, adaptation and mitigation of external shocks and risk management. | United Nations General Assembly | Declaration / Confererence outcome document |
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| 2015 | ||
Sustainable Development Summit: Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 2015, para. 7 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | In these Goals and targets, we are setting out a supremely ambitious and transformational vision. We envisage a world free of poverty, hunger, disease and want, where all life can thrive. We envisage a world free of fear and violence. A world with universal literacy. A world with equitable and universal access to quality education at all levels, to health care and social protection, where physical, mental and social well-being are assured. A world where we reaffirm our commitments regarding the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation and where there is improved hygiene; and where food is sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious. A world where human habitats are safe, resilient and sustainable and where there is universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. | United Nations General Assembly | Declaration / Confererence outcome document |
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| 2015 | ||
Third International Conference on Financing for Development: Addis Ababa Action Agenda 2015, para. 34 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | We further acknowledge that expenditures and investments in sustainable development are being devolved to the subnational level, which often lacks adequate technical and technological capacity, financing and support. We therefore commit to scaling up international cooperation to strengthen capacities of municipalities and other local authorities. We will support cities and local authorities of developing countries, particularly in least developed countries and small island developing States, in implementing resilient and environmentally sound infrastructure, including energy, transport, water and sanitation, and sustainable and resilient buildings using local materials. We will strive to support local governments in their efforts to mobilize revenues as appropriate. We will enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and strengthen economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning, within the context of national sustainable development strategies. We will work to strengthen debt management, and where appropriate to establish or strengthen municipal bond markets, to help subnational authorities to finance necessary investments. We will also promote lending from financial institutions and development banks, along with risk mitigation mechanisms, such as the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, while managing currency risk. In these efforts, we will encourage the participation of local communities in decisions affecting their communities, such as in improving drinking water and sanitation management. By 2020, we will increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change and resilience to disasters. We will develop and implement holistic disaster risk management at all levels in line with the Sendai Framework. In this regard, we will support national and local capacity for prevention, adaptation and mitigation of external shocks and risk management. | United Nations General Assembly | Declaration / Confererence outcome document |
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| 2015 | ||
Sustainable Development Summit: Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 2015, para. 7 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | In these Goals and targets, we are setting out a supremely ambitious and transformational vision. We envisage a world free of poverty, hunger, disease and want, where all life can thrive. We envisage a world free of fear and violence. A world with universal literacy. A world with equitable and universal access to quality education at all levels, to health care and social protection, where physical, mental and social well-being are assured. A world where we reaffirm our commitments regarding the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation and where there is improved hygiene; and where food is sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious. A world where human habitats are safe, resilient and sustainable and where there is universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. | United Nations General Assembly | Declaration / Confererence outcome document |
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| 2015 | ||
Sustainable Development Summit: Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 2015, para. 6.1 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all | United Nations General Assembly | Declaration / Confererence outcome document |
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| 2015 | ||
Sustainable Development Summit: Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 2015, para. 6.1 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all | United Nations General Assembly | Declaration / Confererence outcome document |
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| 2015 | ||
The right to the highest attainable standard of health (Art. 12) 2000, para. 15 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The improvement of all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene (art. 12.2 (b)) comprises, inter alia, preventive measures in respect of occupational accidents and diseases; the requirement to ensure an adequate supply of safe and potable water and basic sanitation; the prevention and reduction of the population's exposure to harmful substances such as radiation and harmful chemicals or other detrimental environmental conditions that directly or indirectly impact upon human health. Furthermore, industrial hygiene refers to the minimization, so far as is reasonably practicable, of the causes of health hazards inherent in the working environment. Article 12.2 (b) also embraces adequate housing and safe and hygienic working conditions, an adequate supply of food and proper nutrition, and discourages the abuse of alcohol, and the use of tobacco, drugs and other harmful substances. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2000 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 1 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Water is a limited natural resource and a public good fundamental for life and health. The human right to water is indispensable for leading a life in human dignity. It is a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights. The Committee has been confronted continually with the widespread denial of the right to water in developing as well as developed countries. Over one billion persons lack access to a basic water supply, while several billion do not have access to adequate sanitation, which is the primary cause of water contamination and diseases linked to water. The continuing contamination, depletion and unequal distribution of water is exacerbating existing poverty. States parties have to adopt effective measures to realize, without discrimination, the right to water, as set out in this general comment. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 23 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The obligation to protect requires State parties to prevent third parties from interfering in any way with the enjoyment of the right to water. Third parties include individuals, groups, corporations and other entities as well as agents acting under their authority. The obligation includes, inter alia, adopting the necessary and effective legislative and other measures to restrain, for example, third parties from denying equal access to adequate water; and polluting and inequitably extracting from water resources, including natural sources, wells and other water distribution systems. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 6 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Water is required for a range of different purposes, besides personal and domestic uses, to realize many of the Covenant rights. For instance, water is necessary to produce food (right to adequate food) and ensure environmental hygiene (right to health). Water is essential for securing livelihoods (right to gain a living by work) and enjoying certain cultural practices (right to take part in cultural life). Nevertheless, priority in the allocation of water must be given to the right to water for personal and domestic uses. Priority should also be given to the water resources required to prevent starvation and disease, as well as water required to meet the core obligations of each of the Covenant rights. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 53 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | To assist the monitoring process, right to water indicators should be identified in the national water strategies or plans of action. The indicators should be designed to monitor, at the national and international levels, the State party's obligations under articles 11, paragraph 1, and 12. Indicators should address the different components of adequate water (such as sufficiency, safety and acceptability, affordability and physical accessibility), be disaggregated by the prohibited grounds of discrimination, and cover all persons residing in the State party's territorial jurisdiction or under their control. States parties may obtain guidance on appropriate indicators from the ongoing work of WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 55 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Any persons or groups who have been denied their right to water should have access to effective judicial or other appropriate remedies at both national and international levels (see General Comment No. 9 (1998), para. 4, and Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development). The Committee notes that the right has been constitutionally entrenched by a number of States and has been subject to litigation before national courts. All victims of violations of the right to water should be entitled to adequate reparation, including restitution, compensation, satisfaction or guarantees of non-repetition. National ombudsmen, human rights commissions, and similar institutions should be permitted to address violations of the right. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 24 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Where water services (such as piped water networks, water tankers, access to rivers and wells) are operated or controlled by third parties, States parties must prevent them from compromising equal, affordable, and physical access to sufficient, safe and acceptable water. To prevent such abuses an effective regulatory system must be established, in conformity with the Covenant and this General Comment, which includes independent monitoring, genuine public participation and imposition of penalties for non-compliance. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 37c | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | [In General Comment No. 3 (1990), the Committee confirms that States parties have a core obligation to ensure the satisfaction of, at the very least, minimum essential levels of each of the rights enunciated in the Covenant. In the Committee's view, at least a number of core obligations in relation to the right to water can be identified, which are of immediate effect:] To ensure physical access to water facilities or services that provide sufficient, safe and regular water; that have a sufficient number of water outlets to avoid prohibitive waiting times; and that are at a reasonable distance from the household; | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to the highest attainable standard of health (Art. 12) 2000, para. 12d | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | [The right to health in all its forms and at all levels contains the following interrelated and essential elements, the precise application of which will depend on the conditions prevailing in a particular State party:] Quality. As well as being culturally acceptable, health facilities, goods and services must also be scientifically and medically appropriate and of good quality. This requires, inter alia, skilled medical personnel, scientifically approved and unexpired drugs and hospital equipment, safe and potable water, and adequate sanitation. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2000 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 32 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | States parties should refrain at all times from imposing embargoes or similar measures, that prevent the supply of water, as well as goods and services essential for securing the right to water. Water should never be used as an instrument of political and economic pressure. In this regard, the Committee recalls its position, stated in its General Comment No. 8 (1997), on the relationship between economic sanctions and respect for economic, social and cultural rights. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to adequate housing 1991, para. 8b | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | [Thus the concept of adequacy is particularly significant in relation to the right to housing since it serves to underline a number of factors which must be taken into account in determining whether particular forms of shelter can be considered to constitute "adequate housing" for the purposes of the Covenant. While adequacy is determined in part by social, economic, cultural, climatic, ecological and other factors, the Committee believes that it is nevertheless possible to identify certain aspects of the right that must be taken into account for this purpose in any particular context. They include the following:] Availability of services, materials, facilities and infrastructure. An adequate house must contain certain facilities essential for health, security, comfort and nutrition. All beneficiaries of the right to adequate housing should have sustainable access to natural and common resources, safe drinking water, energy for cooking, heating and lighting, sanitation and washing facilities, means of food storage, refuse disposal, site drainage and emergency services; | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 1991 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 26 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The obligation to fulfil requires States parties to adopt the necessary measures directed towards the full realization of the right to water. The obligation includes, inter alia, according sufficient recognition of this right within the national political and legal systems, preferably by way of legislative implementation; adopting a national water strategy and plan of action to realize this right; ensuring that water is affordable for everyone; and facilitating improved and sustainable access to water, particularly in rural and deprived urban areas. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 21 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | The obligation to respect requires that States parties refrain from interfering directly or indirectly with the enjoyment of the right to water. The obligation includes, inter alia, refraining from engaging in any practice or activity that denies or limits equal access to adequate water; arbitrarily interfering with customary or traditional arrangements for water allocation; unlawfully diminishing or polluting water, for example through waste from State-owned facilities or through use and testing of weapons; and limiting access to, or destroying, water services and infrastructure as a punitive measure, for example, during armed conflicts in violation of international humanitarian law | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 3 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Article 11, paragraph 1, of the Covenant specifies a number of rights emanating from, and indispensable for, the realization of the right to an adequate standard of living "including adequate food, clothing and housing". The use of the word "including" indicates that this catalogue of rights was not intended to be exhaustive. The right to water clearly falls within the category of guarantees essential for securing an adequate standard of living, particularly since it is one of the most fundamental conditions for survival. Moreover, the Committee has previously recognized that water is a human right contained in article 11, paragraph 1, (see General Comment No. 6 (1995)). The right to water is also inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of health (art. 12, para. 1) and the rights to adequate housing and adequate food (art. 11, para. 1). The right should also be seen in conjunction with other rights enshrined in the International Bill of Human Rights, foremost amongst them the right to life and human dignity. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 45 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | In accordance with article 2, paragraph 1, of the Covenant, States parties are required to utilize "all appropriate means, including particularly the adoption of legislative measures" in the implementation of their Covenant obligations. Every State party has a margin of discretion in assessing which measures are most suitable to meet its specific circumstances. The Covenant, however, clearly imposes a duty on each State party to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that everyone enjoys the right to water, as soon as possible. Any national measures designed to realize the right to water should not interfere with the enjoyment of other human rights. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 43 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Violations through acts of omission include the failure to take appropriate steps towards the full realization of everyone's right to water, the failure to have a national policy on water, and the failure to enforce relevant laws. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 37a | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | [In General Comment No. 3 (1990), the Committee confirms that States parties have a core obligation to ensure the satisfaction of, at the very least, minimum essential levels of each of the rights enunciated in the Covenant. In the Committee's view, at least a number of core obligations in relation to the right to water can be identified, which are of immediate effect:] To ensure access to the minimum essential amount of water, that is sufficient and safe for personal and domestic uses to prevent disease; | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 37i | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | [In General Comment No. 3 (1990), the Committee confirms that States parties have a core obligation to ensure the satisfaction of, at the very least, minimum essential levels of each of the rights enunciated in the Covenant. In the Committee's view, at least a number of core obligations in relation to the right to water can be identified, which are of immediate effect:] To take measures to prevent, treat and control diseases linked to water, in particular ensuring access to adequate sanitation; | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to sexual and reproductive health (Art. 12) 2016, para. 12 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | An adequate number of functioning health care facilities, services, goods and programmes should be available to provide the population with the fullest possible range of sexual and reproductive health care. This includes ensuring the availability of facilities, goods and services for the guarantee of the underlying determinants of the realization of the right to sexual and reproductive health, such as safe and potable drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities, hospitals and clinics. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2016 | ||
The right to education (Art. 13) 1999, para. 6a | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | [The right to receive an education] [While the precise and appropriate application of the terms will depend upon the conditions prevailing in a particular State party, education in all its forms and at all levels shall exhibit the following interrelated and essential features:] Availability - functioning educational institutions and programmes have to be available in sufficient quantity within the jurisdiction of the State party. What they require to function depends upon numerous factors, including the developmental context within which they operate; for example, all institutions and programmes are likely to require buildings or other protection from the elements, sanitation facilities for both sexes, safe drinking water, trained teachers receiving domestically competitive salaries, teaching materials, and so on; while some will also require facilities such as a library, computer facilities and information technology; | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 1999 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 8 | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | Environmental hygiene, as an aspect of the right to health under article 12, paragraph 2 (b), of the Covenant, encompasses taking steps on a non-discriminatory basis to prevent threats to health from unsafe and toxic water conditions. For example, States parties should ensure that natural water resources are protected from contamination by harmful substances and pathogenic microbes. Likewise, States parties should monitor and combat situations where aquatic eco-systems serve as a habitat for vectors of diseases wherever they pose a risk to human living environments. | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 12a | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | [While the adequacy of water required for the right to water may vary according to different conditions, the following factors apply in all circumstances:] Availability. The water supply for each person must be sufficient and continuous for personal and domestic uses. These uses ordinarily include drinking, personal sanitation, washing of clothes, food preparation, personal and household hygiene. The quantity of water available for each person should correspond to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Some individuals and groups may also require additional water due to health, climate, and work conditions; | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 | ||
The right to water (Art. 11 and 12) 2002, para. 12c (i) | Aug 19, 2019 | Paragraph | [While the adequacy of water required for the right to water may vary according to different conditions, the following factors apply in all circumstances:] Accessibility. Water and water facilities and services have to be accessible to everyone without discrimination, within the jurisdiction of the State party. Accessibility has four overlapping dimensions: Physical accessibility: water, and adequate water facilities and services, must be within safe physical reach for all sections of the population. Sufficient, safe and acceptable water must be accessible within, or in the immediate vicinity, of each household, educational institution and workplace. All water facilities and services must be of sufficient quality, culturally appropriate and sensitive to gender, life-cycle and privacy requirements. Physical security should not be threatened during access to water facilities and services; | Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights | General Comment / Recommendation |
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| 2002 |