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Water as an argument for peace, twinning and cooperation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2023
- Document code
- A/78/253
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Fulfilling the human rights of those living in poverty and restoring the health of aquatic ecosystems: two converging challenges
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2023
- Document code
- A/HRC/54/32
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation of people living in impoverished rural areas.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2022
- Document code
- A/77/167
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation of indigenous peoples: state of affairs and lessons from ancestral cultures.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2022
- Document code
- A/HRC/51/24
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
A rights-based approach to adaptation, mitigation, finance, and cooperation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2022
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
The impacts of climate change on the human rights to water and sanitation of groups and population in situations of vulnerability
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2022
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Outlining the impacts of climate change on the human rights to water and sanitation around the world
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2022
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Risks and impacts of the commodification and financialization of water on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2021
- Document code
- A/76/159
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Planning and vision for the mandate from 2020 to 2023
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2021
- Document code
- A/HRC/48/50
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Partnering with organizations
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2022
- Document code
- A/HRC/48/50/ADD.1
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Human rights and the privatization of water and sanitation services
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2020
- Document code
- A/75/208
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Progressive realization of the human rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2020
- Document code
- A/HRC/45/10
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Progress report (2010–2020)
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2020
- Document code
- A/HRC/45/11
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Impact of mega-projects on the human rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2019
- Document code
- A/74/197
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Human rights to water and sanitation in spheres of life beyond the household with an emphasis on public spaces
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2019
- Document code
- A/HRC/42/47
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Principle of accountability
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2018
- Document code
- A/73/162
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Forcibly displaced persons
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2018
- Document code
- A/HRC/39/55
- Date added
- Jan 18, 2024
Document
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2017
- Document code
- A/72/127
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2016
- Document code
- A/HRC/33/49
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2014
- Document code
- A/HRC/27/55
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2014
- Document code
- A/69/213
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Sustainability and non-retrogression in the realisation of the rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2013
- Document code
- A/HRC/24/44
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Wastewater management in the realization of the rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2013
- Document code
- A/68/264
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Planning for the realization of the rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2011
- Document code
- A/HRC/18/33
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2017
- Document code
- A/HRC/36/45
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Affordability of water and sanitation services
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2015
- Document code
- A/HRC/30/39
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2016
- Document code
- A/71/302
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2015
- Document code
- A/70/203
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Integrating non-discrimination and equality into the post-2015 development agenda for water, sanitation and hygiene
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2012
- Document code
- A/67/270
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Human Rights Obligations Related to Non-State Service Provision in Water and Sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2010
- Document code
- A/HRC/15/31
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Financing for the Realization of the Rights to Water and Sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2011
- Document code
- A/66/255
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
The MDGs and the human rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2010
- Document code
- A/65/254
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Stigma and the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Year
- 2012
- Document code
- A/HRC/21/42
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Document
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 57
- Paragraph text
- In order to effectively incorporate the human rights to water and sanitation in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, particularly with respect to development cooperation, an adequate architecture must be established to assist in the formulation, guidance, management and support of the development agenda. That architecture should ideally place the normative content of the human rights to water and sanitation at the centre of the specific processes related to Goal 6 overall and targets 6.1 and 6.2 specifically. The Panel should be acutely aware of the need to base its recommendations in human rights principles and the normative content of the human rights to water and sanitation, as outlined in the present report. In so doing, the Panel should be able to duly address concerns raised by civil society organizations regarding the possible propensity to predominantly favour a business-oriented approach to the sector. The establishment of an entity with greater openness and a wider plurality of stakeholders and viewpoints is essential to successfully introducing the human rights to water and sanitation into development cooperation and to achieving the water and sanitation-related goals of the 2030 Agenda.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Sustainability and non-retrogression in the realisation of the rights to water and sanitation 2013, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- While support and participation of donors and NGOs in water and sanitation service delivery is welcome, there are challenges to sustainability when they become service providers and questions of accountability and transparency arise. A key risk to sustainability is the fact that few NGOs provide services on a permanent or long-term basis. Most usually disengage from projects after a certain period, which may have negative impacts on the long-term viability of services if no proper sustainability strategy is put in place. Even with the best of intentions, these systems may be responding to immediate and concrete needs to the detriment of building a system that can remain functional over time. While providing immediate access is important, it is equally central to guarantee long-term operation and maintenance, and to plan with government and communities for phased exits and local ownership. The lack of long-term focus has been linked to a lack of political incentives, particularly for donors, to put resources towards maintaining existing infrastructure, over building new ones that give better visibility for their investment and support.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Stigma and the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2012, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- Human dignity is the foundation of all human rights. The International Covenants on Human Rights proclaim that the rights enshrined therein derive from the inherent dignity of the human person. Human dignity is an intrinsic and universal quality of the human person. Behaviour and activities that violate human dignity can include activities or statements that "demean and humiliate individuals or groups because of their origins, status or beliefs", as well as negative stereotyping that implies that members of a particular group are inferior. Stigma is, by its demeaning and degrading nature, antithetical to the very idea of human dignity. Stigma as a process of devaluation, of making some people "lesser" and others "greater", is inconsistent with human dignity, which is premised on notions of the inherent equality and worthiness of the human person. It undermines human dignity, thereby laying the groundwork for violations of human rights. Human dignity is closely linked to the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation, and to various related rights such as non-discrimination, the right to be free from inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to privacy.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Integrating non-discrimination and equality into the post-2015 development agenda for water, sanitation and hygiene 2012, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur is of the view that a forward-looking post-2015 development agenda must be ambitious. It must tackle disparities and emphasize non-discrimination and equality as core principles. This view is shared increasingly by States, United Nations entities, development actors and civil society organizations. This comes from practical evidence found on the ground. Appallingly, much of the progress made since 2000 has left the most marginalized in a similar situation. Indeed, many agree that the current set of Millennium Development Goals, which focus on average progress, has masked the inequalities that lie behind these averages, thus requiring a new method of measuring progress. According to the United Nations Development Group, inequalities have been identified as one of only nine major areas for consultation at the global level. This sentiment is widely shared by those working in the water and sanitation sectors, agreeing that "concerns of non-discrimination and equity related to fulfilling the right to access water and sanitation should be reflected in future indicators".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Human Rights Obligations Related to Non-State Service Provision in Water and Sanitation 2010, para. 63a
- Paragraph text
- [The human rights framework does not call for any particular form of service provision. It is well established that, from a human rights perspective, States can opt to involve non-State actors in sanitation and water services provision. But the State cannot exempt itself from its human rights obligations and hence remains the primary duty-bearer. Therefore, also when involving other actors in services provision, the role of the State is crucial. The obligations of States and the responsibilities of non-State actors are complementary. The latter can and should support the State in the realization of human rights. In line with these conclusions, the independent expert offers the following recommendations:] States must develop a national plan, including legislation and other appropriate measures, to progressively achieve the full realization of the rights to water and sanitation, including in currently unserved and underserved areas, independent of the modalities of the service provision chosen. These measures should be based on the explicit recognition of the rights to water and sanitation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 77
- Paragraph text
- Process assessment should encompass the variety of measures performed throughout project implementation with a basis in upholding human rights standards. Examples include ensuring the active and meaningful participation of all stakeholders and providing access to transparent information. Process assessment is especially crucial to situating development cooperation projects in a broader context. In this sense, UNICEF urges partner States to include a “narrative” aspect, which cannot be reflected in reporting mechanisms based on quantitative standards, as it helps to nuance apparently positive or negative results. However, the use of narratives is generally less common among funders and could help to give more substance to quantitative indicators. For instance, Japan has set a target to build capacity for 1,750 professionals working in water supply in Africa. Yet the specific content of such interventions is not defined, nor does it interact with a subsequent outcome indicator. Specifically, it is not possible to assess the nature of the training imparted to the professionals and related improvements to service provision as a result of the training.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- A broader mechanism for achieving access to water and sanitation services for people living in poverty is to put in place "social protection floors". These are nationally defined basic social security guarantees that ensure access to essential services, including water and sanitation, as well as providing basic income security to those in need. Human Rights Council resolution 28/12 of 9 April 2015 acknowledged "that social protection floors may facilitate the enjoyment of human rights… safe drinking water and sanitation, in accordance with the human rights obligations of States" and encouraged "States to put in place social protection floors as part of comprehensive social protection systems" (A/HRC/RES/28/12, paras. 6 and 8). Social protection floors can be particularly relevant for achieving gender equality and protecting marginalized or disadvantaged individuals and groups. At the national level, for instance, Cambodia has made support for sanitation and water in times of emergency and crisis a key intervention under the National Social Protection Strategy for the Poor and Vulnerable. In Mexico, the federal budget for social spending, which contributes to building a social protection floor, includes water supply and sewerage.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Poverty
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 93b
- Paragraph text
- [Finally, the Special Rapporteur recommends:] That the Human Rights Council consider in the universal periodic review the issue of development cooperation in the context of water and sanitation services.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 62
- Paragraph text
- Achieving behavioural change in beneficiaries and institutions and creating awareness on safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services are fundamental to ensuring transformative development and sustainable water and sanitation projects. Yet efforts to achieve those objectives are seriously limited by time-based constraints that are common in development cooperation projects. The usual time frame for the full cycle of project implementation is from three to five years at most. A combination of several factors make such time frames too short to guarantee effective capacity-strengthening and lasting behavioural change. Ensuring the continuity of measures initially funded through development cooperation, especially those related to project management, may be a determinant in guaranteeing projects’ medium- to long-term sustainability. Several projects assessed revealed that funding was allocated to deploy local activists or community workers tasked with raising awareness on hygiene and encouraging local participation in user associations. However, those projects did not contain conditions or mechanisms that would ensure continuous support for those functions after the project terminated.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 90g
- Paragraph text
- [In addition, the Special Rapporteur recommends that regulatory actors:] Support and influence policy formulation and legislative changes in line with the human rights to water and sanitation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 90d
- Paragraph text
- [In addition, the Special Rapporteur recommends that regulatory actors:] Ensure non-discriminatory service coverage by service providers, including to poorer neighbourhoods, informal settlements and rural areas;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 90c
- Paragraph text
- [In addition, the Special Rapporteur recommends that regulatory actors:] Set and monitor indicators that cover all the elements of the rights and disaggregate them by prohibited grounds of discrimination;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- The regulatory framework must provide a contextual meaning of the social and cultural acceptability of water and sanitation facilities. This cannot be done in a meaningful way without the genuine participation of those who use the services. While water should be of an acceptable colour, odour and taste for each personal or domestic use, these are highly subjective parameters, and perceptions of these characteristics depend on local culture, education and experience. Personal sanitation is a highly sensitive issue across regions and cultures, and differing perspectives about which sanitation solutions are acceptable must be taken into account when designing, positioning, and setting conditions for the use of sanitation facilities (see A/70/203, para. 13). Regulations should stipulate that facilities need to allow for acceptable hygiene practices in specific cultures, such as anal and genital cleansing, and menstrual hygiene (see A/HRC/12/24, para. 80). Acceptability often requires separate facilities for women and men in public spaces, and for girls and boys in schools, which should be reflected in regulatory frameworks. Regulation should play an essential role in ensuring that toilets are constructed in a way that safeguards privacy and dignity.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Boys
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- The instruments delegating service provision, including contracts, must reflect the national regulatory framework and human rights standards. This means that these instruments should include a clear definition of the human rights responsibilities of service providers, coverage targets to eliminate inequalities in access, sufficient provision for participation, access to information and mechanisms for accountability. While ensuring this, non-State service providers are also expected to respect human rights. To that end, they must exercise due diligence to become aware of and address any potential impact on the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation, including by analysing the proposed delegating instruments from a human rights perspective (see A/HRC/15/31, para. 38), and where appropriate by undertaking human rights impact assessments. The General Assembly has recently called upon non-State actors, including business enterprises, to comply with their responsibility to respect the human rights to water and sanitation, including by cooperating with State investigations into allegations of abuses of these rights, and by progressively engaging with States to detect and remedy such abuses (see General Assembly resolution 70/169, para. 6).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 11
- Paragraph text
- The obligation to fulfil has three components: the obligation to facilitate, the obligation to promote and the obligation to provide. The obligation to facilitate requires States to take positive regulatory measures to create an enabling environment for service providers to respect the human rights to water and sanitation as well as to contribute towards the full realization of these rights. Facilitating measures include not only according recognition of these rights within national policies and legal frameworks and adopting national strategies and plans of actions to realize them, but also setting service standards for service providers to comply with, in line with the normative content of the human rights to water and sanitation, monitoring service providers’ compliance with the established standards, and exercising regulatory functions, directly or through a separate body. For example, where, due to a lack of regulation, access to water and sanitation facilities is either not available or inadequate in public buildings, such as schools, prisons or hospitals, or where people living in informal settlements are left with no option but to resort to unregulated informal services, the State is in breach of its obligation to facilitate.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 57
- Paragraph text
- Although the pivotal role of women as providers and users of water, as well as the need to equip and empower women to participate at all levels in water resources programmes, has long been recognized, it is mostly men who manage and control the water services, resources, wastewater and solid waste industries at all levels. The integration of women into these types of jobs can contribute to gender mainstreaming throughout the sector and to services being managed from the perspective of women. Women's participation in the sector can be encouraged by developing policies and strategies, including on education, with defined targets and timelines. As a good example, in the National Drinking Water Policy of Pakistan it is outlined that special efforts will be made to recruit and induct women in water supply-related institutions and other relevant agencies to ensure that the needs of women are adequately addressed in the design, operation and maintenance of water supply systems. Aquafed and the Women for Water Partnership have reported that they are working together with companies and water associations to develop employment policies that aim to increase the representation of women in their staff and to remove prejudices against female employees.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- Adequate water and sanitation services, including menstrual hygiene facilities, must be accessible in the workplace, without hindrance, for all employees, in a manner that corresponds with their gender identity. The Special Rapporteur has noted that there is an urgent need to recognize and address the currently neglected lack of facilities that allow for adequate sanitation and menstrual hygiene management for women and girls in the workplace. Women and girls risk their health or miss out on workdays when such facilities are lacking. For example, 60 per cent of all women working in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia work in the agriculture sector and their workplace often does not include facilities that would allow them to manage their sanitation and menstruation, or those facilities are located far away from the place of work. Regulations often do not apply to women working in the informal sector, and women working in public spaces such as markets often have no access to facilities altogether. In the manufacturing industry and in dense urban areas, women and girls sometimes work in overcrowded spaces where privacy is limited and sanitation facilities and spaces are inadequate to manage their menstruation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 14
- Paragraph text
- In line with international human rights law, States should therefore use an "intersectionality lens" in all policy initiatives, to ensure that special attention is given to those persons most disadvantaged in the enjoyment of their rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 72
- Paragraph text
- Owing to a lack of expertise or the use of inappropriate technology, water and sanitation infrastructure provided through development cooperation may not be well-maintained or well-operated, making it necessary to provide further funding for education and training. Capacity-building is key to ensuring the sustainability of investments and a human rights-based approach should be adopted in this respect. Doing so would involve the main stakeholders directly and indirectly concerned in the adequate provision of services and strengthening their ability to perform tasks and produce outputs, collectively define and solve problems and make informed choices. Other forms of cooperation, such as public-public partnerships, which are absent from the policies of most international funders, can respond effectively to that need. In that context, it is noteworthy that a petition to the European Commission with 1.9 million signatures that was ultimately endorsed by the European Parliament called for the adoption of a human rights approach to development cooperation based on not-for-profit principles and solidarity among water operators and authorities, including capacity-building partnerships aimed at improving the quality of water services.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- Funders must face those challenges head-on to create proper arrangements to ensure that funding actually reaches its destination, thereby effectively generating benefit for the poor and realizing the human rights to water and sanitation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Poverty
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 20
- Paragraph text
- Nevertheless, the overall global increase in funding to the sector masks significant annual variations in disbursed funds and funding modalities. Regarding funding commitments, for the 2010-2012 period, 41 per cent of aid commitments were grants and 59 per cent were concessional loans. In addition, critical reviews of development cooperation flows indicate that the available data on those flows may be fragmented at best. That could be due in part to a lack of collaboration between funders to provide consolidated, reliable, accurate and disaggregated data. Regarding disaggregation, the majority of development projects registered in the relevant database of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), accounting for more than half of the amount of funds dedicated to the sector, do not clearly indicate, for example, whether rural or urban areas have been targeted. Considering the markedly lower levels of access to adequate water and sanitation services in rural areas compared with urban areas, that information gap indicates a need for improved reporting by Member States. Another noteworthy source of data inaccuracy is the non-inclusion of important interventions in informal settlements because those are considered to be part of so-called "slum/squatter upgrading".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 8
- Paragraph text
- International human rights law defines the obligations of States with respect to taking appropriate measures, including through international assistance and cooperation, to the maximum of their available resources, towards the full realization of economic, social and cultural rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 89
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur encourages States and international organizations to further explore options for global monitoring that allow for more comprehensive monitoring of affordable access to services.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 88
- Paragraph text
- In addition, the Special Rapporteur encourages the treaty bodies and other human rights monitoring mechanisms to pay increasing attention to the affordability of water and sanitation service provision in the particular contexts people live in.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87m
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Prohibit disconnections that result from an inability to pay;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87l
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Address corrupt practices that add to the cost of service provision;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87k
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Put into place strong regulatory frameworks and bodies for ensuring affordability of service provision that covers all types of services;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87h
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Give careful thought particularly to ensuring the affordability of sanitation provision, where costs are frequently underestimated;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87f
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Ensure participation in the process of decision-making on determining mechanisms for allocating public financing and setting tariffs;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87b
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Ensure transparency about existing and planned financing mechanisms and subsidies;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 85
- Paragraph text
- For households that receive water and sanitation through utilities, data is available through the International Benchmarking Network for Water and Sanitation Utilities, which includes data on water tariffs charged by a significant number of utilities. Beyond such existing initiatives, a review of potential indicators demonstrates the complexity of monitoring affordability. Determining and monitoring the costs of non-networked supply and including them into measures of affordability is particularly challenging, but essential from the perspective of human rights. Focusing solely on utility tariffs bears the risk of severely underestimating expenses and would paint an overly positive picture of affordability that only captures the better-off, while neglecting the very real challenges that the most disadvantaged people and communities face in accessing water and sanitation. This review shows that monitoring affordability in its complexity (including water, sanitation and hygiene access expenditure) is feasible, but would require a combination and analysis of data from different sources. The Special Rapporteur encourages States and international organizations to explore these options further to ensure more comprehensive monitoring of the affordability of access to services.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- Participatory budgeting is increasingly common in municipalities across the world, enabling residents to agree on the budget priorities of local government. Such processes have often contributed to improving basic service provision, including water and sanitation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 62
- Paragraph text
- Other types of mechanisms to ensure the affordability of services can be built into tariff schemes. Different tariff systems have different potentials but also limitations to ensure the affordability of services. These are generally only relevant to those connected to piped water and sewerage systems.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- Use of sanitation facilities and services must be available at a price that is affordable to all people (see A/HRC/30/39). This must include all associated costs, ranging from regular tariffs to connection fees in the case of networked provision, to costs of on-site solutions such as the construction or maintenance of pit latrines and septic tanks. There are often costs that go unrecognized when planning for technical solutions. For example, on-site technologies may require regular maintenance, including the emptying of pits or septic tanks and the sludge management. Sanitation based on a flush toilet generally requires payment for additional quantities of water. Paying for these services must not limit people's capacity to acquire other basic goods and services guaranteed by human rights, such as the right to food, housing, health and education. Affordability does not necessarily require services to be provided free of charge. People are generally expected to contribute according to their means. However, when people are unable, for reasons beyond their control, to access sanitation through their own means, the State is obliged to find solutions for ensuring their access to sanitation free of charge.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 76
- Paragraph text
- While courts in many jurisdictions are amenable to litigation challenging human rights violations, access to justice should not generally rely on litigation. States must ensure that water and sanitation services are provided within a context of clear rules. They must adopt measures to prevent human rights violations, for instance through carrying out human rights impact assessments. Where violations are being alleged, dispute and complaint mechanisms should be available with the aim of resolving issues quickly and efficiently. Where human rights violations are not adequately addressed, individuals must be able to proceed to court. Being able to turn to the courts - as a last resort - is an essential component of ensuring access to justice. Violations of the rights to water and sanitation have generally been dealt with more effectively in States where constitutional and legislative protections guarantee that those rights are directly or indirectly justiciable. In States where this is not yet the case, courts and governments should be guided by international developments and recognize the rights to water and sanitation as justiciable. Governments should promote the use of international law in interpreting domestic law.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 49
- Paragraph text
- The obligation to ensure minimum essential levels of water and sanitation is considered an immediate obligation. However, huge numbers of people lack access to even basic services, and more than one billion people practise open defecation. Where a State has the capacity and resources to ensure minimum essential levels of rights, this obligation must be met immediately. In many instances, it can be achieved with a redistribution of resources and comprehensive strategies and plans aimed at achieving universal access. However, the human rights framework does not demand the impossible. There are situations where States lack the capacity to ensure access to basic services for all immediately. In such circumstances, human rights law requires that addressing such massive deprivations related to the minimum essential levels of the rights to water and sanitation be accorded the highest priority. A State "must demonstrate that every effort has been made to use all resources that are at its disposition in an effort to satisfy, as a matter of priority, those minimum obligations". Hence, where minimum essential levels are not ensured, the State is, prima facie, violating human rights, and it bears the burden of proof to demonstrate that it lacks the capacity to do so.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- A seminal decision on the obligation to progressively realize socioeconomic rights is that taken in the Grootboom case, in which the Constitutional Court of South Africa considered the plight of a community lacking basic shelter, sanitation facilities and access to clean water. To determine whether the State had complied with the obligation of progressive realization, the Court applied a standard of "reasonableness". It held that a reasonable programme must: be comprehensive, coherent and coordinated; be capable of facilitating the realization of the right; prioritize the needs of those in the most desperate situations; make appropriate financial and human resources available; be balanced and flexible; make appropriate provision for short-, medium- and long-term needs; be reasonably conceived and implemented; and be transparent. Through that approach, the Court clarified that, while it is the role of the Government to determine precise policies and programmes, it is the proper role of courts to assess whether policies and programmes are in compliance with human rights. In Grootboom, the Court found that the State's programmes failed to address as a priority the circumstances of those in the most desperate situations, and required the Government to take measures to correct this.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 16
- Paragraph text
- In its general comment No. 15 (2003) on the right to water, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights builds on a comprehensive understanding of violations, applying the categories of human rights obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the right to water. While the Committee has not yet adopted a general comment on the right to sanitation, it has issued a formal statement recognizing that similar obligations apply, following an approach taken by the Special Rapporteur in her 2009 report to the Council. The present report applies this framework and develops a typology of common violations of the rights to water and sanitation. In addition to the obligations to respect, protect and fulfil, it puts a particular emphasis on equality and non-discrimination, as well as on participation, and also examines extraterritorial obligations. The latter obligations cut across the "respect, protect, fulfil" framework. This typology is not proposed as a rigid classification, being utilized as a framework for surveying the range of violations which must be addressed, with inevitable overlaps in the categories. What is most important is to ensure that no type of violation is ignored and that no victim is denied access to effective remedies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- One approach to participation in this area is participatory geographic information systems, which rely on maps. They merge technical spatial information with a local community's location-specific knowledge, often producing rich data including on land use, water sources, differentiated access to resources and sites of actual or potential environmental hazards. For instance, OpenStreetMap initiatives in informal settlements in Nairobi have generated detailed data, indicating how many households share a toilet, whether there are gender-specific toilets, whether the toilets have disability access and whether the toilets provide sanitary bins for women. Such data provide a powerful tool for monitoring trends and patterns of neglect or underinvestment. They can also provide a baseline, which becomes useful in monitoring the environmental impact of extractive industries, for instance, leading to demands for remedial action. Communities have also used self enumeration, popularized by Shack/Slum Dwellers International, to collect data. It has been an effective tool for countering the view that it is impossible to plan for service provision in informal settlements because of a lack of reliable data.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Women
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Sustainability and non-retrogression in the realisation of the rights to water and sanitation 2013, para. 36
- Paragraph text
- Often States fail to adopt a tariff structure which is both affordable and promotes enough revenue to ensure financial sustainability. In most urban public water systems, charges often barely cover the recurrent costs of operation and maintenance, leaving little or no funds to recover the capital costs of modernization and expansion. A survey of such systems in 132 cities in high-, middle- and low-income countries found that 39 per cent did not recover even their operation and maintenance costs. The impact of decreased spending then threatens the sustainability of water systems as lack of reinvestment leads to deterioration of the system and leakages, and the low level of investment in the water sector hampers growth. In rural areas neglect of operation and maintenance budgets and cost recovery contribute to widespread non-functionality. Accessibility and quality are compromised because of limitations on services, lack of expansion and lack of maintenance. Affordability is also affected because funds that would have been available before the financial downturn have been decreased or reallocated, and therefore prices to the user increase to cover the shortfall.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Wastewater management in the realization of the rights to water and sanitation 2013, para. 20
- Paragraph text
- In 2010, the human right to water and sanitation was explicitly recognized by the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, and is guaranteed as a component of the human right to an adequate standard of living. The Special Rapporteur, in her capacity as an independent expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, defined sanitation from a human rights perspective as a system for the collection, transport, treatment and disposal or reuse of human excreta and associated hygiene. The Special Rapporteur has stated that States must ensure without discrimination that everyone has physical and economic access to sanitation, in all spheres of life, which is safe, hygienic, secure, socially and culturally acceptable, provides privacy and ensures dignity. She further considers that domestic wastewater, which flows from toilets, sinks and showers, should be included in the description of sanitation insofar as water regularly contains human excreta and the by-products of the associated hygiene (see A/HRC/12/24, paras. 63 and 87). The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights endorsed this definition at its forty-fifth session in its statement on the right to sanitation. (E/C.12/2010/1).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Wastewater management in the realization of the rights to water and sanitation 2013, para. 53
- Paragraph text
- Water and wastewater management is often entrusted to large and powerful "hydrocracies" that are trained for, and have vested interests in, large infrastructure. Many administrations and funding agencies favour sewer networks and sewage treatment plants over more decentralized systems. Such preferences should be contrasted with the institutional framework for faecal sludge management: often there are no clear institutional responsibilities for wastewater management beyond sewerage networks. This gap is exacerbated in informal settlements that lack legal land tenure, which, where sanitation facilities exist at all, tend to be served largely by septic tanks and pit latrines. Municipalities often deliberately avoid providing formal services in those areas because they fear legitimizing informal settlements. Legislative frameworks must assign institutional responsibilities for wastewater and, more specifically, faecal sludge management. The challenges in informal settlements are among the most urgent. As a short-term solution, non-governmental organizations have acted as intermediaries between municipalities and users to allow people to gain access to services before a more long-term solution is found.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Wastewater management in the realization of the rights to water and sanitation 2013, para. 32
- Paragraph text
- During her country missions, the Special Rapporteur has constantly witnessed challenges in the operation and management of septic tanks and the disposal of septage, giving rise to severe challenges for the realization of human rights. On site sanitation solutions have been promoted as a way for people to quickly "gain access to sanitation" without giving due regard to what happens when pits fill up. Often, tanks are not properly maintained and pollutants leak into groundwater and environment, impairing the health of neighbouring residents or those depending on shallow aquifers. Once the tanks are full, they need to be emptied. This process of emptying, collection and transportation usually lacks regulation, control and accountability, resulting in contents being dumped by collection trucks relatively close by, into waterways or the larger environment, adjacent to locations where people live, farm, fish or work. Trucks serving a given municipality are often not sufficient to meet the demand. Moreover, poor households, in order to avoid periodically hiring unaffordable trucks, might divert the water overflowing from their tanks leading to continued exposure and health risks.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Stigma and the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2012, para. 28
- Paragraph text
- The silencing effect of stigma is pronounced in relation to prisoners, who are often forgotten and neglected. Prison conditions, including concerning water and sanitation, are notoriously substandard in many parts of the world. The Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment has noted that in many countries "authorities simply do not regard it as their responsibility to provide detainees with the most basic services necessary for survival, let alone for a dignified existence or ... an 'adequate standard of living' " (A/64/215 and Corr.1, para. 43). In one country he found that "it is the task of [the detainees'] families to bring them water in plastic bottles and food in plastic bags. Since there are no toilets, they must use the same bottles to urinate and the plastic bags to defecate" (ibid.). In another country he was confronted with "detainees [using] the water in the toilets for drinking" (ibid., para. 44). There is often a perception that prisoners "deserve" inadequate services and that scarce resources should not be used to improve prison conditions. The stigmatization of prisoners results in low priority given to their needs and a failure to meet basic human rights standards.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Integrating non-discrimination and equality into the post-2015 development agenda for water, sanitation and hygiene 2012, para. 64
- Paragraph text
- Pilot analysis carried in the framework of the Working Group on Equity and Non-Discrimination demonstrated that significant disparities exist in water and sanitation access among ethnic, religious, and language minorities in some countries, a finding that emphasizes the need for tailored monitoring of minorities and marginalized groups. For example, in one South Asian country, data show that while open defecation rates for the majority population was 37 per cent, the rate for the minority population was 70 per cent. In another country of that same region, data show that open defecation rates for the population speaking the majority language was 39 per cent, and the rates for minority-speaking populations were significantly higher: between 55 per cent, and 85 per cent among other language speakers. A rights-sensitive analysis uncovers such patterns so that factors leading to these differences can be explored and policy responses can be developed. If the progress of groups that suffer discrimination and marginalization is not specifically monitored, those groups will remain excluded - even among the poorest.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Integrating non-discrimination and equality into the post-2015 development agenda for water, sanitation and hygiene 2012, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- While many caution that future targets and indicators need to be measurable, and this is certainly true, there is also a tendency to hide behind this technical argument. Others have noted that measurability is an inappropriate standard for political decisions on deprioritizing certain issues, and that data should "be seen as a servant, rather than a master". The current lack of data should not be used as an argument against future monitoring. Rather, the Special Rapporteur calls for data to be collected on certain issues precisely to bring them to light. The current lack of data on certain issues is not accidental. Neglect often coincides with a low political profile. For example, in many countries, people living in informal settlements do not appear in the official statistics, even when they represent a high percentage of the population in major cities. In that regard, the Special Rapporteur calls for pushing the boundaries of what is currently perceived as measurable. A commitment to better and more accurate data collection as part of the global framework is essential to identifying and monitoring inequalities, a crucial step to making progress to end them.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Integrating non-discrimination and equality into the post-2015 development agenda for water, sanitation and hygiene 2012, para. 15
- Paragraph text
- The Millennium Development Goals were never intended as national goals; however, they have often been translated as such. Their impact on national policymaking and monitoring is undeniable. Monitoring at the national and global levels has distinct purposes, ideally complementary ones. While national-level monitoring serves for national policymaking, planning and financing, global monitoring speaks to the interest of the international community to determine whether progress on international agreed goals has been reached. It is more focused on identifying broad trends and recurrent themes across the globe - serving to put certain issues on the agenda and providing a platform for advocacy. Global monitoring also adds the element of comparability, hence setting incentives for States to make the same or better progress as neighbouring countries or States in a similar position. Despite these distinct monitoring purposes, the impact of the global framework in influencing national priorities cannot be underestimated. Issues that do not receive attention at the global level also tend to be disregarded in national policymaking.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Planning for the realization of the rights to water and sanitation 2011, para. 80e
- Paragraph text
- [The full realization of human rights can require complex trade-offs that are even more difficult in situations of economic crisis. Having a plan or a vision guided by a human rights framework helps authorities to prioritize the realization of human rights above other considerations. Yet, a human rights framework provides no single answer on how to set priorities in a case where not all can be reached at the same time - for instance the distribution of resources between neglected remote rural areas and deprived urban slum areas. What human rights standards and principles call for is that such allocation decisions are not based solely on a cost-utility analysis, but are the result of a democratic, participatory and non-discriminatory process. In this regard:] States must devise specific strategies to address discrimination and reach the most disadvantaged. They must identify vulnerable and marginalized populations, patterns of discrimination, and their underlying structural causes by, inter alia, collecting disaggregated data. They must set specific targets to reduce inequalities in access, develop tailored interventions for specific circumstances and specifically monitor progress for these groups;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Planning for the realization of the rights to water and sanitation 2011, para. 65
- Paragraph text
- The obligation to fulfil economic, social and cultural rights requires taking steps to the maximum of available resources. There has been much recent scholarship and a number of tools have been developed on assessing whether States are deploying the maximum of available resources towards guaranteeing human rights. One approach is to compare current budget allocations to past efforts to evaluate whether efforts have progressed, stagnated or regressed. A decrease would prima facie raise concerns. If past allocations to the sectors are evidently insufficient, a slight incremental increase based on yearly adjustments may not be sufficient, and a reallocation of funds would need to be considered. Another approach is a comparison between similarly situated countries. Such tools are not meant to provide definite answers on the use of maximum available resources, but can be used to prompt further inquiries. A decrease in the budget could be justified, for instance, when resources are used more efficiently and allocated to the most vulnerable and marginalized, or when economic conditions change, as long as the decrease is based on the most careful consideration and can be justified by reference to the totality of rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Financing for the Realization of the Rights to Water and Sanitation 2011, para. 62
- Paragraph text
- Fragmentation often occurs horizontally between institutions when sectoral aid is managed by a variety of government ministries; for instance, one regulatory agency may be in charge of managing tariffs, while another monitors water quality. In such cases, fragmentation is not always particularly inefficient, nor does it pose a serious threat to resource tracking. It becomes a problem, however, when multiple institutions are charged with similar responsibilities, or when one institution is responsible for articulating policy while another controls the purse strings. Horizontal fragmentation also plagues donors at the international level. When negotiating aid packages, for instance, individual donors often seek out personalized, extrabudgetary arrangements with Governments. These agreements may undermine a State's ability to account for all available resources when developing strategies for the sector. The Special Rapporteur has expressed concern about the problems caused by horizontal fragmentation in the reports on her missions to Costa Rica and Egypt (A/HRC/12/24/Add.1 and Corr.1, para. 61, and A/HRC/15/31/Add.3 and Corr.1, para. 13) but discussions with many experts indicate that they are systemic in the water and sanitation sectors around the world.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Human Rights Obligations Related to Non-State Service Provision in Water and Sanitation 2010, para. 63c
- Paragraph text
- [The human rights framework does not call for any particular form of service provision. It is well established that, from a human rights perspective, States can opt to involve non-State actors in sanitation and water services provision. But the State cannot exempt itself from its human rights obligations and hence remains the primary duty-bearer. Therefore, also when involving other actors in services provision, the role of the State is crucial. The obligations of States and the responsibilities of non-State actors are complementary. The latter can and should support the State in the realization of human rights. In line with these conclusions, the independent expert offers the following recommendations:] Regardless of its modalities, the decision of the State to delegate or not delegate service provision must be taken in a democratic and participatory process. All those concerned must be enabled to participate throughout the process and to monitor, evaluate and report on possible human rights abuses. Participation has to be active, free and meaningful and allow for a genuine opportunity to influence decision-making;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Human Rights Obligations Related to Non-State Service Provision in Water and Sanitation 2010, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- It is therefore the Government that has the power and obligation to resist the temptation of investing in and prioritizing only neighbourhoods where interventions are less expensive and complex. The State has the ultimate obligation to realize the rights to sanitation and water for all, including the poorest in society. It must not discriminate against people living in certain areas, but rather must pay specific attention to the most marginalized. To that end, it must develop a comprehensive and coherent approach that may or may not involve non-State actors in the provision of services to currently unserved and underserved areas. When involving private actors, the Government must carefully consider where it contracts for private sector participation, what coverage is to be achieved in the designated areas and what service levels have to be met, and negotiate the contract accordingly. Like any other instrument delegating service provision, the contract should include clear goals, such the targets to be reached, investment levels and pricing arrangements. The State also has to consider what additional measures are necessary in terms of subsidies and other instruments, which will be further discussed below.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Human Rights Obligations Related to Non-State Service Provision in Water and Sanitation 2010, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- These challenges can be encountered at various stages of engagement with non-State service providers. Human rights have to be protected before and throughout the process, requiring a constant assessment, both by States and service providers, of whether the measures taken contribute to the realization of human rights. In the present section, both State obligations and the responsibilities of non-State actors will be addressed in relation to the challenges encountered. Starting with the decision to delegate service provision, the independent expert highlights questions regarding participatory and transparent processes, instruments for delegation and human rights impact assessments. She specifically addresses provision of services to previously unserved and underserved areas. In the operation of services, it is observed that regulation is essential, but often not sufficient to meet the standards of the human rights to water and sanitation and must be complemented by social policies. That section also raises issues regarding institutional capacity and the regulation of informal small-scale providers. Finally, the last section turns to questions of accountability and enforcement.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Human Rights Obligations Related to Non-State Service Provision in Water and Sanitation 2010, para. 9
- Paragraph text
- Private sector participation is commonly used to refer to a broad spectrum of contractual arrangements between governments and the private sector that involve private companies in varying degrees in the provision of water and sanitation services. They differ according to the ownership of assets, the responsibility for capital investments, the allocation of risks, the responsibility for operations and maintenance, and the typical contract duration. For instance, while the model of concessions confers the management, risk and responsibility for investment on the private sector, private sector participation can also be limited to contracting out some aspects of management or service provision. In many cases, the system cannot be designated as exclusively public or private but instead takes on a hybrid nature, also in the form of joint ventures. The oft-used term "privatization" obscures the fact that full-scale privatization, that is, divestiture including the transfer of assets, is a rare exception rather than the norm. To avoid imprecision and confusion, the independent expert will not use the term, but will rather mention private sector participation when referring specifically to the private sector.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Human Rights Obligations Related to Non-State Service Provision in Water and Sanitation 2010, para. 27
- Paragraph text
- In exercising due diligence, non-State service providers have to take into account a variety of factors. They must consider the country and local context where their activities are carried out - such as the institutional capacities of the Government - aiming to identify the specific human rights challenges. A second set of factors turns to the actual and potential impact of their activities. Finally, a third set relates to whether they might contribute to human rights abuses through their relationships with other actors (A/HRC/8/5, para. 57). Thus, the responsibility to respect not only requires service providers to ensure that their own action does not result in human rights abuses, but also includes the avoidance of complicity, which means that they must avoid being indirectly involved in human rights abuses committed by other actors, including the State (para. 73). The concept of due diligence requires contextualization and is sufficiently flexible to determine what is required from non-State providers operating in different contexts. The necessary actions required in the exercise of due diligence will depend on the scale, nature and sectoral and operational specificities of the actor in question.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The MDGs and the human rights to water and sanitation 2010, para. 50
- Paragraph text
- Lack of access to water and sanitation is not simply a question of scarcity of technology, financial resources and infrastructure. It is a matter of setting priorities, a function of societal power relations and a problem of poverty and deeply entrenched inequalities. In order to increase sustainable access to water and sanitation, it is essential to address these underlying causes. Rights-based analyses in the water and sanitation sectors have revealed, for example, lack of secure land tenure as a key blockage, in particular in urban slums. Target 7.D aims to achieve, by 2020, a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum-dwellers. The target date (five years later than the rest of the targets) and the scale of progress aimed for (around a tenth of the estimated 1 billion slum-dwellers) highlight the low ambition embodied in this target. The indicators used as a proxy to measure progress towards the target do not capture security of tenure, which would be crucial to improve living conditions and is one of the main components of the right to housing. If these underlying issues were addressed and the target on slums were set higher, it would contribute significantly to making progress towards universal access to water and sanitation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The MDGs and the human rights to water and sanitation 2010, para. 36
- Paragraph text
- Perhaps the most frequently voiced concern about the Millennium Development Goals is that, taken on their face, they may facilitate aggregate human development progress at the expense of the most marginalized populations, thereby potentially exacerbating underlying inequalities. In fact, it would be possible for a country to be in full compliance with the Goals regarding access to water and sanitation without having extended access to any person belonging to the lowest wealth quintile. Whereas the Millennium Declaration refers explicitly in paragraph 23 to "equitable access", this concern for equity is not reflected in the Millennium Development Goals and, regrettably, principles of equality and non-discrimination are at present poorly reflected in most Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers. Non discrimination and equality are not only instrumentally important in the context of development; they are binding human rights principles reflected in international human rights treaties. Development strategies based on the Millennium Development Goals that pick only the "low-hanging fruit" risk perpetuating and even reinforcing existing inequalities, frustrating sustainable development objectives and violating international human rights standards.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The MDGs and the human rights to water and sanitation 2010, para. 25
- Paragraph text
- Secondly, to meet human rights standards, water must be safe, that is, of such quality that it does not pose a threat to human health. Sanitation facilities must be hygienically and technically safe to use. To ensure hygiene, access to water for cleansing and hand washing is essential. While target 7.C explicitly refers to access to safe drinking water, the indicator does not measure quality directly. It is based on the assumption that improved sources are likely to provide safe water. However, this is not always the case. The drinking water obtained from many improved sources is in fact unsafe, with potentially adverse consequences for the health-related Millennium Development Goals as well as target 7.C. Simply putting a lid on the polluted water, which then counts as a protected well, does not mitigate all forms of pollution. To include an assessment of actual drinking water safety in the Joint Monitoring Programme assessments, household survey data would need to be complemented by data derived from other approaches such as periodic water quality sample surveys using field-based techniques. This is already done in Bangladesh, where a serious contamination of the groundwater with arsenic made it mandatory to monitor water quality, since many "improved" water sources were severely contaminated.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Health
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The MDGs and the human rights to water and sanitation 2010, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- Unlike the situation in some other sectors, there is no platform to hold donor and partner countries accountable for their commitments. Aid coordination remains fragmented and incoherent. The design of aid and cooperation policies should be guided by human rights standards. Moreover, there is a need for improved political prioritization, aid effectiveness and targeting of funding to where it is most needed. The "Sanitation and Water for All" initiative is a relatively new international partnership of national Governments, donors, civil society organizations and other partners working to address this challenge and galvanize political commitment to increase access to water and sanitation. This initiative provides capacity-building support for strong national processes with improved data and analysis on the sanitation and water supply sectors for decision-making, mutual accountability among aid agencies and partner Governments (and among Governments and their people) and better targeting and mobilization of funding. It aims to mobilize catalytic funding and provide specific technical assistance to the most off-track countries. To meet this objective, donor commitments to support the implementation of actionable plans will be crucial.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The MDGs and the human rights to water and sanitation 2010, para. 7
- Paragraph text
- The Millennium Development Goals can offer a valuable vehicle for the progressive realization of economic, social and cultural rights. However, the onset of the global financial and economic crises, on top of the global water, sanitation, food and climate crises, has put the resolution of the Goals at risk. The world appears on track to meet the water target, although there are significant problems when one goes beyond global aggregates and examines regional and in-country disparities. According to the latest estimates, 884 million people worldwide rely on unimproved water sources. Of these, 84 per cent live in rural areas. Sanitation is of greater concern still, as it is one of the least likely to be targets. Some 2.6 billion people worldwide are without improved sanitation and 1.2 billion people - mostly in rural areas - continue to practice open defecation. If the current rate of progress is maintained, the sanitation target will be missed by 13 percentage points, meaning that, by 2015, 2.7 billion people will still be without access to improved sanitation. And even if the targets are met, many people will still not have access to water and sanitation. Hence, efforts to realize access to both sanitation and water must be reinforced.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 93a
- Paragraph text
- [Finally, the Special Rapporteur recommends:] That the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights request funder and partner States to report on the issue of development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation and to provide a venue for civil society to submit “alternative reports”;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 92e
- Paragraph text
- [In the assessment and monitoring stage, the Special Rapporteur recommends that funders:] Utilize assessment and monitoring as feedback for operational tools and the project selection, design and implementation stages and to advocate that their officials give meaningful consideration to the related findings.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 92d
- Paragraph text
- [In the assessment and monitoring stage, the Special Rapporteur recommends that funders:] Prepare studies that assess all stages of the funder’s activities in the human rights development cycle, envisaging the application of the related findings to improve the funder’s contributions to the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 92c
- Paragraph text
- [In the assessment and monitoring stage, the Special Rapporteur recommends that funders:] Monitor, on a long-term basis, project outputs and outcomes through indicators and qualitative analyses based on the human rights framework;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 92b
- Paragraph text
- [In the assessment and monitoring stage, the Special Rapporteur recommends that funders:] Improve existing project assessment protocols by adjusting their scope, methods for data collection and indicators, including human rights principles;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 92a
- Paragraph text
- [In the assessment and monitoring stage, the Special Rapporteur recommends that funders:] Develop and systematically produce thorough assessment and monitoring based on the human rights framework, including assessment undertaken during and after the project implementation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 91c
- Paragraph text
- [In the project selection, design and implementation stages, the Special Rapporteur reiterates the importance of measures and safeguards with the specific aim of ensuring human rights compliance (ibid., para. 74 (b)) and recommends that funders:] Identify and avoid any negative impact on human rights prior to and during project implementation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 90b
- Paragraph text
- [Relating to funders’ operational tools, the Special Rapporteur recommends that funders:] Make the use of such operational tools a requirement in all funding operations to guarantee the complete application of the human rights framework at the project implementation stage;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 90a
- Paragraph text
- [Relating to funders’ operational tools, the Special Rapporteur recommends that funders:] Translate the human rights commitment in their policies into operational tools and training tailored to the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation in particular contexts;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 89d
- Paragraph text
- [Relating to funders’ policy, the Special Rapporteur recommends:] That funder States adopt national legislation recognizing the human rights to water and sanitation so as to ensure additional guarantees that those rights are applied in development cooperation policies and activities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 89c
- Paragraph text
- [Relating to funders’ policy, the Special Rapporteur recommends:] That the human rights to water and sanitation be emphasized in funders’ policy on specific groups, such as women, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples, complementing overarching development cooperation policies;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons with disabilities
- Women
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 89b
- Paragraph text
- [Relating to funders’ policy, the Special Rapporteur recommends:] That a focused strategy on water and sanitation be established in accordance with the human rights framework, with emphasis on its prioritization so that it is not subsumed into broader strategies or other thematic policies;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 89a
- Paragraph text
- [Relating to funders’ policy, the Special Rapporteur recommends:] That policies that specifically incorporate the standards and principles of the human rights to water and sanitation in their entirety be established so that those rights are reflected when setting priorities and strategies for development cooperation activities;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- Some funders (IADB, UNICEF and the World Bank) use output frameworks as a primary tool to evaluate their performance and the achievement of particular projects’ goals. Others (France, IADB, Japan and UNICEF) incorporate wide-scale quantitative targets into their worldwide and/or country strategies (for example, the number of people to be reached with new or improved access to drinking water and sanitation).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 78
- Paragraph text
- Subsequent to a project’s completion, it is essential to systematically produce ex post human rights assessments of projects. Such assessments are critical to identifying the sustainability of services and understanding a project’s medium- and long-term impacts on human rights and the causes of those impacts. Critically, assessments should be made available to the public in order for the relevant authorities to be held accountable.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- From the perspective of rights holders, when beneficiaries of development cooperation projects have transparent access to information, they are more able to meaningfully participate in decision-making and are empowered to claim their rights and hold duty-bearers accountable (A/71/302, para. 18).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- In some projects assessed, especially those targeting rural areas, the level of the technological solution is not intrinsically problematic. However, the lack of a plan to manage or, when necessary, upgrade those solutions in the future risks jeopardizing their long-term ability to comply with human rights requirements. It is essential for funders and partner States to have a vision of how those projects will be managed in the long term in order to provide sustainable services that deter retrogressions in the realization of human rights. This must be done with consideration of specific contexts and should involve adequate planning measures. When more than one intervention is required to provide an acceptable level of service to a community, it is essential for the intermediate levels of service to be as safe as possible and to facilitate scaling up with the least amount of financial losses and in the most sustainable fashion possible. Indeed, decisions related to project planning must take great care to avoid investments that fully replace previous services in the same location instead of upgrading those solutions. Otherwise, such investments risk representing an irresponsible use of public funds and a possible compromise of other human rights (A/70/203, para. 88).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 57
- Paragraph text
- Furthermore, often forgotten in development projects are the safe management of on-site sanitation and faecal sludge, hygiene promotion and menstrual hygiene management. In the projects assessed, it was observed that hygiene management is often absent, particularly menstrual hygiene management, under the pretext that it is “culturally” difficult to address.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 56
- Paragraph text
- Large infrastructure projects are not necessarily contrary to the rights to water and sanitation, but the crucial question is whether such projects improve access for those who already enjoy some degree of access, or whether they take the challenging step of extending access to those who continue to be excluded from even basic access, especially in peri-urban areas and informal settlements (see A/HRC/18/33/Add.3).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- Through the first European Union action plan on human rights and democracy (2012-2014), the European Union coordinated the creation of a toolbox to contribute towards a rights-based approach to development cooperation. Published in 2014, the toolbox, entitled “A rights-based approach, encompassing all human rights for European Union development cooperation”, aims to outline how the organization will integrate human rights principles into the conceptualization and implementation of its development activities. The toolbox provides details on action to be taken at headquarters and in the field for synchronization between those units. However, probably due to the toolbox’s generic approach, human rights analyses have been judged to be less evident in water and sanitation programmes. Officials reported to the Special Rapporteur that field office teams still lack comprehensive awareness on how to align field operations with the human rights to water and sanitation, as political and civil rights are generally given more prominence. Such insufficiencies were previously identified in an evaluation of European Union development cooperation activities. However, it was reported that ongoing training on the rights-based approach at headquarters and country offices has aimed to address, inter alia, the rights to water and sanitation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 46
- Paragraph text
- Among the six funders analysed, instruments and methods were identified in various forms, most often comprising a combination of tools and guidelines undertaken or applied at different levels, such as at headquarters, in country offices and with local project implementers.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- The European Union’s indirect focus on water and sanitation services in its most recent policy is an expression of the European Commission’s inclination to diminish the role of water, sanitation and hygiene as a stand-alone sector of the organization’s development cooperation agenda. Relevant officials confirmed this reprioritization to the Special Rapporteur. The low profile of the sector in the European Union cooperation policy raises concerns as to the organization’s capacity to align its operations with the human rights to water and sanitation, particularly since the other sectors that encompass water and sanitation do not incorporate that specific human rights framework. In 2015, the European Parliament recommended that the Commission give high priority to the water, sanitation and hygiene sector in partner States, recognizing the human rights dimensions of access to those services in development cooperation activities. The Special Rapporteur observed that the Commission has still not given meaningful consideration to those recommendations. Commentators consider that the lack of “normative coherence” in the European Union’s policy on water and sanitation has diminished its ability to conduct transformative development, an ambition associated, inter alia, with the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 6.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 32
- Paragraph text
- Finally, through the Yokohama Action Plan, a regional strategy for the period 2013-2017 focusing on the African region, Japan committed to specific targets for its development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector, for example, to improve access to safe water and sanitary conditions for 10 million people per year.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- The Japan International Cooperation Agency has informed the Special Rapporteur that the strategy is currently under revision and will address the standards of the human rights to water and sanitation with greater clarity. The Special Rapporteur strongly encourages the Agency to effectively infuse the document with the human rights framework.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 29
- Paragraph text
- Another overarching policy for development cooperation is established in the Japan International Cooperation Agency guidelines for environmental and social considerations. The guidelines specify that the principles of local stakeholder participation, accountability, transparency and access to information are indispensable for decision-making processes, in addition to respect for human rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 25
- Paragraph text
- Certain key elements of the normative content of the human rights to water and sanitation are found in the water and sanitation sectoral intervention framework, 2014-2018, a guiding reference for the activities of the French Development Agency. In that document, the human rights to water and sanitation are recognized; however, the framework of those human rights is incorporated selectively throughout a variety of the strategic areas instead of occupying a clearly prominent role. For instance, one priority strategy aims to provide sustainable access to water and sanitation services for all, with a scope of action extending from urban areas to rural areas for the sanitation subsector. The objectives of that strategy demonstrate attention to human rights aspects: permanent, continuous access to water and sanitation services; affordable services through mechanisms that consider the most vulnerable populations, such as social tariffs; and water quality corresponding to World Health Organization parameters. The strategy also contains provisions suggesting that acceptability of systems will be attributed importance. However, in citing only a “greater involvement” of users in that respect, the Agency does not effectively provide a guarantee that users will be able to participate and make their views considered systematically and with priority.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- In addition to policies, partnerships and strategies between funders and partner States can often determine broader objectives for development cooperation in water and sanitation and may significantly influence the nature of funders’ operations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- Funders’ policies can be considered to represent the first step according to which activities will be structured. Indeed, a thorough policy framework with ingrained commitments to apply the complete framework of the human rights to water and sanitation strongly contributes to ensuring that funders’ activities are conceived and ultimately implemented in ways that realize those rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 19
- Paragraph text
- Another example is UNICEF, which as part of the United Nations system is bound by the Charter. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (art. 45) explicitly refers to UNICEF as a source of expert assistance and advice, and therefore human rights obligations of UNICEF can be traced back to its special relationship with the Convention.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 7
- Paragraph text
- In order to collect the views of a range of experts, the Special Rapporteur convened a consultation on the subject of the report on 23 and 24 May 2017 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Furthermore, relevant excerpts from the report were shared with the funders for their input.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 4
- Paragraph text
- Although funders include a range of actors, such as States, financial institutions, international or regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and private entities, the scope of the present report does not include assistance provided by non-governmental and private entities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 3
- Paragraph text
- In the present report, the term “funder” is used instead of “donor” or other terminology to highlight that entities often operate through loans and not only through donations. The term “partner State” is used instead of “recipient country”; this is intended to support a more horizontal relationship between the funder and the State receiving support.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation and the human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 2
- Paragraph text
- On the basis of the theoretical framework developed in the first report, in the present report, through case studies, the question of how funders contribute to the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation and respond to related challenges and gaps is examined.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 90i
- Paragraph text
- [In addition, the Special Rapporteur recommends that regulatory actors:] Safeguard the right of individuals to submit complaints when the enjoyment of their rights to water and sanitation has been compromised by service providers.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 90h
- Paragraph text
- [In addition, the Special Rapporteur recommends that regulatory actors:] Provide clear and relevant information on their policies, procedures and activities and indicate how they contribute to the progressive realization of the human rights to water and sanitation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 90f
- Paragraph text
- [In addition, the Special Rapporteur recommends that regulatory actors:] Ensure that tariff-setting reconciles financial sustainability with affordability, while prioritizing and protecting the needs of those living in poverty;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 90e
- Paragraph text
- [In addition, the Special Rapporteur recommends that regulatory actors:] Provide access to objective, comprehensible, clear and consistent information and facilitate free, active and meaningful participation in regulatory decision-making processes;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 90b
- Paragraph text
- [In addition, the Special Rapporteur recommends that regulatory actors:] Carry out independent monitoring of service providers’ compliance with the normative content of the human rights to water and sanitation and ensure that in cases of retrogression providers address the root causes of these violations;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 90a
- Paragraph text
- [In addition, the Special Rapporteur recommends that regulatory actors:] Comply with the State’s international human rights obligations with regard to the rights to water and sanitation and take targeted steps towards the full realization of these rights;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 89l
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Inform and train regulatory actors on the practical implications of the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation in their area of work.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 89j
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Include, in regulatory frameworks, specific requirements ensuring adequate provision of services to, inter alia, schools, health facilities, prisons, transport hubs and public spaces in general;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 89i
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Include, in regulatory frameworks, specific requirements ensuring adequate provision of services to, inter alia, homeless people, poor nomadic communities, and victims of situations of armed conflict, emergencies, natural disasters or climate change effects;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 89f
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Ensure through adequate regulation that, when extending formal services to informal settlements, these services are affordable and do not interfere with people’s access;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 89d
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Ensure that regulatory frameworks provide a multifaceted and differentiated interpretation of affordability, capturing the specific needs of those living in vulnerable situations;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 89c
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Ensure that the mission, mandate and objectives of regulatory actors incorporate the principle of progressive realization of the human rights to water and sanitation without discrimination of any kind;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 89b
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Clearly define necessary procedures and measures in the regulatory framework to meet the State’s obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights to water and sanitation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 89a
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Adopt water and sanitation policies and strategies incorporating the human rights to water and sanitation, and take deliberate, concrete and targeted steps to establish a regulatory framework informed by these rights and regulatory bodies operating in an impartial, transparent and rights-based manner;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 88
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur considers that a more nuanced approach is needed regarding the concept of independence of regulatory bodies. In particular, the involvement of governmental sectors in specific situations of regulatory decision-making should be safeguarded when it is relevant to ensure that human rights standards are met.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 84
- Paragraph text
- In countries where no separate regulatory mechanism exists, but where national human rights institutions or ombudspersons’ offices are present, individuals may resort to these independent bodies for redress when their human rights to water and sanitation have been compromised by a service provider. Accountability can be provided by these quasi-judicial bodies, whose mandate often includes handling human rights complaints.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 83
- Paragraph text
- The regulatory body must also be endowed with the power to enforce existing regulations and contractual agreements. Mechanisms for contract enforcement must include adequate incentives, penalties for non-compliance, such as fines, and the possibility of revocation of the contract (see A/HRC/15/31, para. 52).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- In the resolution of complaints against services providers, regulatory actors must ensure that any action that interferes with an individual’s enjoyment of the rights to water and sanitation is preceded by an opportunity for genuine consultation with the individual affected, the timely and full disclosure of information on the proposed measures, reasonable notice of proposed actions, legal recourse and remedies for the individual affected, and legal assistance for obtaining legal remedies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 80
- Paragraph text
- Accountability at the national level can be achieved through administrative, quasi-judicial and judicial mechanisms. Mechanisms can be based at the level of the service provider or at the level of the State. For example, when a complaint is not resolved at the level of the service provider, individuals should have the right to address their complaint to an administrative mechanism such as a regulatory body.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 76
- Paragraph text
- The regulation of water and sanitation services (or the lack thereof) in rural areas is similarly challenging. Rural water supplies are often managed by local community organizations or members, untrained and unpaid, and it is argued by some that they would benefit from provision of training, resources, and assistance, rather than regulatory enforcement. However, these two measures are not incompatible and it is a question for governments to balance support for communities with regulation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- While affordability provisions in water and sanitation laws are quite common, the challenge is to translate general provisions into concrete affordability standards (see A/HRC/30/39, para. 26). The Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water 2016-2017 country survey indicates that 68 per cent of respondent countries have a regulatory authority that is responsible for setting urban tariffs for either drinking water or sanitation or both. To ensure the affordability of services, regulatory frameworks must capture the specific needs of the several groups that live in vulnerable situations and offer differentiated solutions for the two main expenses incurred by users: the one-off connection fees that contribute to capital construction costs, and the cost of the recurrent charges (tariffs for operation, maintenance, capital assets renewal, and any financing costs of capital for new fixed assets). To this end, regulatory actors must promote the use of appropriate measures, including free or low-cost service provision for households with very low or no income, income supplements, social tariffs and targeted subsidies. It is essential that financial sustainability does not become the priority of tariff-setting, to the detriment of affordability, but that both elements are reconciled. Similarly, it is essential that investment in the extension of distribution networks to low-income unserved areas is not delayed in an attempt to minimize the affordability challenge.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- Regulation must provide a multifaceted and contextual interpretation of affordability, in line with the human rights framework. National standards must ensure that water and sanitation services, whether privately or publicly provided, are affordable for all, including the poorest, and that water and sanitation tariffs do not compromise or threaten the realization of other rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- Therefore, in regulating water and sanitation services, it should be recognized, as a starting point, that water and sanitation are human rights derived from the right to an adequate standard of living (see art. 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) and are inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (see art. 12 of the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), as well as to the right to life (see art. 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) and the right to human dignity (see arts. 1 and 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights). According to international human rights law, the human right to water entitles everyone, without discrimination, to have access to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use. The human right to sanitation entitles everyone, without discrimination, to have physical and affordable access to sanitation, in all spheres of life, that is safe, hygienic, secure and socially and culturally acceptable and that provides privacy and ensures dignity. From a human rights perspective, the ultimate objective of regulation is to give practical meaning to the normative content of these rights, as follows:
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- Regulation by contract can be combined with supervision by regulatory actors. In these cases, service standards and tariffs agreed upon by the parties to the contract have to be approved by the regulatory actor. The intervention and the oversight of the contract by a regulatory actor, if oriented by the human rights framework, can contribute to the realization of the rights to water and sanitation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 29
- Paragraph text
- States have interpreted the role of regulation in various ways, depending largely on the norms applicable to their particular context and the needs that correspond to that context, which leads to a range of different regulatory models and institutional arrangements. The most appropriate approach differs from country to country and depends on the general regulatory framework, the levels of institutional capacity and the types of problems that must be addressed.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- At a very minimum, State-owned companies have the same responsibilities as other businesses and must comply with the national regulatory framework. When State-owned companies act as arms of government or implementing agents of government policy, the State must ensure policy coherence and guarantee that the activities of those companies contribute to the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 14
- Paragraph text
- Violations of the obligation to fulfil include the State’s failure to take steps to establish a regulatory framework in line with human rights standards, and the failure to ensure, through its regulatory framework, that the minimum essential level of water and sanitation services is enjoyed by everyone.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 13
- Paragraph text
- The obligation to provide obliges States to fulfil the rights to water and sanitation when individuals are unable, for reasons beyond their control, to realize these rights themselves by the means at their disposal. In this respect, it is crucial that the State sets specific regulations for the provision of services, inter alia, to homeless people, to poor nomadic communities, and to victims of situations of armed conflict, emergencies, natural disasters or climate change effects.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Poverty
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- The obligation to promote requires States to provide information and guidance for service providers and the population on how to comply with the standards, norms and regulations set. This obligation also entails informing and training regulatory actors on the practical implications of the human rights to water and sanitation in their area of work.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Service regulation and human rights to water and sanitation 2017, para. 6
- Paragraph text
- The State is the primary duty bearer for the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation. While the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, in article 2, provides for progressive realization and acknowledges the constraints due to limits of available resources, it also imposes on States various obligations of immediate effect. In the context of service regulation, the obligations under article 2 include: (a) the obligation to take deliberate, concrete and targeted steps to put in place a regulatory framework for water and sanitation service provision that is aligned with human rights; and (b) the obligation to ensure that the rules and regulations set and the activities of those exercising regulatory functions contribute to the enjoyment of the human rights to water and sanitation without discrimination of any kind. For example, the exercise of the human rights to water and sanitation should not be conditional on, or determined by, a person’s place of residence (e.g. whether a person lives or is registered in an urban or a rural area, or in a formal or an informal settlement). The State’s failure to take the necessary regulatory measures in order to adequately prevent and remedy discriminatory conduct either by service providers or by regulatory actors constitutes a violation of the State’s obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 56
- Paragraph text
- At the national level, legal protections must be formulated to ensure the active participation of key stakeholders, including women and marginalized groups, in the formulation and implementation of policies. Governments must put in place mechanisms to involve women in the formulation of regulations and policies on water and sanitation and in decisions related to financing and budgeting, to influence the focus of monetary investments.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- Participation is not only a right in itself, but also imperative for fulfilling other rights. Participation encompasses women's power to influence decisions, to voice their needs, to make individual choices and to control their own lives. The lack of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities that meet women's and girls' needs can be largely attributed to the absence of women's participation in decision-making and planning.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 49
- Paragraph text
- The sanitation and menstrual hygiene needs of homeless women and girls are almost universally unmet and the needs of that group are rarely reflected in water and sanitation policies. Human rights law demands that States place a particular focus on the needs of the most marginalized; hence, States should ensure that homeless women and girls have access to facilities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- Where it is not yet possible to have access to services on site, it is important to scale up the construction of safe and nearby community toilets. As mentioned above, there is a multitude of psychosocial stress factors that women face owing to unsafe, inadequate or absent sanitation facilities. To reduce the risk of women and girls experiencing violence, building codes for community water and sanitation facilities should include gender considerations such as sex-segregated cubicles, closeness to the house and lighted pathways to and at facilities. The location should also make it possible for a concierge to be present and monitor the surroundings. It is important to note, however, that building safer latrines in or close to households does not eliminate the risk of gender-based violence, as the measure does not address the root causes of violence. As outlined by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council, adequate sanitation without attention to gendered relations of power puts the burden of safety on women and does not address gender-based patterns of violence against women, which require a far more structural approach. Building safer facilities may sometimes, however, take away a burden for women and girls to visit public toilets that provide for privacy and safety. In this context, WaterAid has developed a toolkit for practitioners.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- External assistance from non-governmental organizations, development agencies or the private sector should comply with human rights and may include measures to eliminate gender inequalities in access. States should include such needs into their official financial plans to ensure that they comply with the regulatory and policy framework developed to decrease gender inequalities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 41
- Paragraph text
- While taxes are a key source of financing for such gender responsive initiatives, they can have detrimental effects on the poorest women. Governments must therefore carefully screen the effects of different tax mechanisms. For example, while value-added taxes may appear gender-neutral, they may disproportionately affect those living in poverty. Certainly, applying value-added tax to menstrual hygiene products disproportionately affects women and girls.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Gender
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- Women and girls need to have materials to manage their menstruation, which can be a particular burden for those living in poverty. The human rights to water and sanitation include the right of all to affordable, safe and hygienic menstruation materials, which should be subsidized or provided free of charge when necessary.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Poverty
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- Quality standards must take into account the fact that the amount of toxic substances to which a person can be safely exposed differs widely depending on the individual. Pregnant women in particular can be at higher risk of waterborne diseases from an intake of contaminated water. Standards on water, sanitation and hygiene quality must take into account the fact that women, especially when pregnant, have a lower tolerance for toxic substances.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Infants
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 32
- Paragraph text
- Levels of access to water and sanitation services affect men and women unequally. Because of their domestic roles and responsibilities, women are in greatest physical contact with contaminated water and human waste. Women and girls who hold their urine for long periods of time have a higher risk of bladder and kidney infections. In addition, they tend to avoid consuming liquids to prevent having to use the toilet, as a result of which many become dehydrated.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 26
- Paragraph text
- Gender-based violence can be defined as acts that "inflict physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivations of liberty". It is a widespread issue rooted in power differences and structural inequality between men and women, although men and boys can also suffer gender-based violence. As the Secretary-General has pointed out: "Violence against women and girls makes its hideous imprint on every continent, country and culture".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Boys
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- Although women - at every economic level, all over the world - may suffer disproportionate disadvantages and discrimination, they cannot be seen as a homogenous group. Different women are situated differently and face different challenges and barriers in relationship to water, sanitation and hygiene. Gender-based inequalities are exacerbated when they are coupled with other grounds for discrimination and disadvantages. Examples include when women and girls lack adequate access to water and sanitation and at the same time suffer from poverty, live with a disability, suffer from incontinence, live in remote areas, lack security of tenure, are imprisoned or are homeless. In these cases, they will be more likely to lack access to adequate facilities, to face exclusion or to experience vulnerability and additional health risks. The effects of social factors such as caste, age, marital status, profession, sexual orientation and gender identity are compounded when they intersect with other grounds for discrimination. In some States, women sanitation workers are particularly vulnerable, as they are exposed to an extremely dirty environment and contamination, which have a far greater impact during pregnancy and menstruation. Women belonging to certain minorities, including indigenous peoples and ethnic and religious groups, may face exclusion and disadvantages on multiple grounds. Those factors are not exhaustive and may change over time.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Poverty
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 11
- Paragraph text
- Laws, policies and strategies should not inadvertently reinforce gender stereotypes but should seek to transform them. It is important that policies and strategies explicitly mention the different experiences of men and women and marginalized groups, otherwise documents that may seem gender-neutral will hide important differences between genders and will in practice benefit some persons more than others with regard to water and sanitation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 9
- Paragraph text
- Many legal constituencies, however, have laws in place that hinder the equal enjoyment of the rights to water and sanitation. In many countries, land ownership, which is a precondition for gaining access to water, is often denied to women by family laws that also make it difficult for women to inherit land. Some countries criminalize open defecation while at the same time closing down public sanitation facilities. Public urination and defecation is often criminalized and laws that aim to keep cities clean may discriminate against homeless persons who have no other option but to relieve themselves in the open. Among them are many women and girls in desperate need of an adequate facility that offers privacy. Some States allow individuals to use toilets in a manner consistent with that person's chosen gender identity while other States oblige persons to use only those toilets that correspond with the biological sex listed on their birth certificate. Restrictive gender recognition laws not only severely undermine transgender peoples' ability to enjoy their rights to basic services, it also prevents them from living safely, free from violence and discrimination. Water and sanitation facilities must be safe, available, accessible, affordable, socially and culturally acceptable, provide privacy and ensure dignity for all individuals, including those who are transgender and gender non-conforming.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- LGBTQI+
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 4
- Paragraph text
- Gender-based violence infringes the right to life, personal safety and freedom of movement. Gender non-conforming people often feel that they need to sign away their freedom of expression since segregation by gender - including in public toilets, detention centres, relief camps and school - poses a risk of exclusion, humiliation and violence.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 78
- Paragraph text
- In addition, the Special Rapporteur recommends that development cooperation entities ensure that external assistance from non-governmental organizations, development agencies and the private sector comply with human rights standards and include measures to eliminate gender inequalities in access.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 77n
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Complement quantitative data on water, sanitation and hygiene with qualitative methods, to improve understanding and interpretation of gender-related issues and to inform and validate survey methods and techniques.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 77m
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Ensure that comprehensive data is collected on access to water, sanitation and hygiene management in respect of women and girls belonging to marginalized groups and living in marginalized areas, and support civil society in collecting data and in analysing, interpreting and monitoring results;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 77l
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Monitor intra-household inequalities and the way in which inequalities based on gender become manifest in extra-household settings, including in facilities in public institutions;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 77k
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Develop a gender indicator system to improve the collection of data disaggregated by sex and other relevant factors, which are necessary to assess the impact and effectiveness of policies aimed at mainstreaming gender equality and enhancing women's enjoyment of their human rights to water and sanitation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 77g
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Apply a gender analysis and increase women's participation in the formulation of government budgets to water, sanitation and hygiene;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 77f
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Increase collaboration between entities operating in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector and those operating in other sectors, including the health sector, to address gender inequalities and culturally taboo topics more effectively and in a comprehensive manner;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 77e
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Promote gender equality, through intersectional policies, considering that gender-based inequalities related to water and sanitation are exacerbated when they are coupled with other grounds of discrimination and disadvantages;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 77d
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Create an enabling environment for women and girls to safely use water and sanitation facilities. Discrimination and violence based on gender identity must be prevented, investigated and remedied, and those responsible must be prosecuted;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 77c
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Make a legitimate effort to prevent and combat the root causes of gender inequalities, including the impacts of social norms, stereotypes, roles and taboos with regard to both women and men, through public campaigns, education and the media, among other measures;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 77b
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Go beyond enacting formal provisions and implement targeted policies and budgets, among other measures, in order to tackle structural gender inequalities for the enjoyment of the rights to water and sanitation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 64
- Paragraph text
- States must monitor the extent to which they and third parties comply with the legal content of the human rights to water and sanitation and of human rights principles. States must monitor decision-making processes and policy implementation, including on national and local budgets, to track whether they serve to close existing gender-based inequalities. The effectiveness of review and monitoring requires the allocation of sufficient resources, transparency of government and State bodies that are independent of government interference. It requires that those in positions of authority have clearly defined duties and performance standards, enabling their actions to be assessed transparently and objectively. Courts, national human rights institutions, non-governmental organizations, independent regulators and ombudspersons play an important role in identifying and addressing gender inequalities in the enjoyment of the rights to water and sanitation and must be supported by the State in doing so. Social movements play an important role in holding the State to account as they can press public officials into being more answerable and request reasoned justifications for actions and decisions. For example, thousands of women in slum areas in Nairobi affected by a lack of toilets and bathing facilities signed a petition asking the Ministry of Health to conduct a public inquiry in informal settlements, and succeeded.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Gender equality in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2016, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- Marginalized women and girls (including those with disabilities, those who are elderly, uneducated or impoverished, and sex workers) face additional barriers to participation. It is therefore important to consider who participates, since participation is often extended only to certain women, in other words the wealthiest, more educated and those who are relatively privileged owing to their caste or religion.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Persons with disabilities
- Women
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 75a
- Paragraph text
- [Regarding the High-level Panel on Water, the Special Rapporteur recommends that:] The mandate of the Panel be adjusted to ensure that its recommendations related to the achievement of Goal 6 possess a clear basis in the principles and normative content of the human rights to water and sanitation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 74g
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, with respect to development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States and multilateral funders:] Prioritize funding that actually benefits the poorest and most disadvantaged and seek to end disparities in access to services;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 74f
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, with respect to development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States and multilateral funders:] Design cooperation projects aimed at strengthening the legal, regulatory and policy frameworks of partner States, with a view to enhancing the sustainability of interventions;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 74e
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, with respect to development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States and multilateral funders:] Refrain from imposing conditionalities in the provision of loans and grants that risk undermining the enjoyment of the human rights to water and sanitation and compromising the partner country's ownership of the related programme or project;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 74d
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, with respect to development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States and multilateral funders:] Make country ownership of development cooperation a priority and promote active, free and meaningful participation by relevant stakeholders in decision-making through the use of appropriate instruments;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 74c
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, with respect to development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States and multilateral funders:] Ensure that effective mechanisms are in place to allow individuals and groups whose human rights are negatively affected by development cooperation activities to lodge complaints and to hold development agencies accountable;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 74b
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, with respect to development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States and multilateral funders:] Develop measures and safeguards with the specific aim of ensuring human rights compliance throughout the project selection process;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 74a
- Paragraph text
- [In line with the above, with respect to development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector, the Special Rapporteur recommends that States and multilateral funders:] Openly discuss and identify obstacles to incorporating the human rights framework in all development policies, programmes and projects and identify best practices in overcoming such obstacles;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 70
- Paragraph text
- Data on development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector reveal disparities with respect to funding for water supply and sanitation activities. For sanitation, funding in the least developed countries is concentrated in urban areas and greatly favours large systems, while access to water and sanitation in poor urban and rural areas is far worse.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 67
- Paragraph text
- The total capital cost of meeting targets 6.1 and 6.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals is estimated at $114 billion per year, excluding the cost of financial and institutional strengthening, a key prerequisite for the sustainability of services. That corresponds to an amount three times higher than current investment levels.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- It is clear that the various drivers for development cooperation in water and sanitation in recent decades have been predominantly inspired by principles other than the human rights framework and that the processes and outcomes of billions of dollars invested in developing countries, particularly in the least developed countries, have barely involved human rights-based interventions. Principles such as equality and non-discrimination, access to information, participation, accountability and sustainability have not been mainstreamed in the relevant policies. Nor has the human rights principle of progressive realization using the maximum available resources been a priority in a number of countries. Furthermore, some normative content with respect to the human rights to water and sanitation has also been neglected in those processes, especially affordability and acceptability, the former having been impacted by cost-recovery policies attached to development cooperation and the latter by the common practice of technology transfer without due attention to the sociocultural preferences of the target populations. It is important to emphasize that cultural acceptability must be defined by the rights-holders, not the duty-bearers, so that levels and quality of access will not be determined on the basis of the stereotypes held by entities linked to duty-bearers.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- The process of incorporating the human rights to water and sanitation in development cooperation has not been a straightforward, consensual or expeditious process. International events have provided opportunities for governmental bodies to make various human rights-related commitments. One clear example of this is the Accra Agenda for Action of 2008, agreed to by developed and developing countries, in which it was indicated that developing countries and donors would ensure that their respective development policies and programmes were designed and implemented in ways consistent with their agreed international commitments on gender equality, human rights, disability and environmental sustainability. More recently, the Ministerial Declaration of the Sixth World Water Forum (2012), adopted by representatives of 145 countries, demonstrated a true international consensus on the right to water and sanitation and the commitment by Governments to accelerating access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation in line with United Nations resolutions. In the Ministerial Declaration of the Seventh World Water Forum (2015), signatories indicated their engagement to translate commitments into national policies, plans and actions and to intensify joint efforts to advance water-related cooperation on a global scale, as well as their commitments to the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation and to ensuring progressive access to water and sanitation for all.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 49
- Paragraph text
- The main frameworks for development cooperation in water and sanitation have been set by various meetings and policy documents, including the report of the International Conference on Water and the Environment, held in Dublin in January 1992, and the Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- Unfortunately, many funders still refrain from placing human rights at the core of their policies or from explicitly recognizing the human rights to water and sanitation in their policies. In such countries, practical experience in translating the human rights to water and sanitation into project implementation still seems limited.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- It is important to clarify that the observation of some human rights principles and normative content is not the same as, and is usually far from, the application of a human rights-based approach. To ensure an effective foundation for a human rights-based approach to development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector, States and multilateral agencies must adopt a holistic view of policy, project and programme compliance within the human rights framework.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 30
- Paragraph text
- States must respect, protect and fulfil the human rights to water and sanitation in the development cooperation projects they finance, at both the national and extraterritorial levels. However, the human rights-based approach still has not been well incorporated by policymakers, sector experts or practitioners in development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 27
- Paragraph text
- In 2014, in the least developed countries, 41 per cent of funding was allocated to large water supply and sanitation activities, 27 per cent to water resources policy/ administrative management, water resources protection, waste management/disposal and river basin development and 32 per cent to basic drinking water supply and sanitation. Only 0.2 per cent was dedicated to education and training in water supply and sanitation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- In 2014, the OECD database on development cooperation registered some 7,500 projects in the water and sanitation sector in more than 140 countries, financed by OECD member States, OECD non-member States and multilateral funders. Some 2,700 of those projects were financed in the 48 least developed countries, totalling close to $2.6 billion, or approximately 30 per cent of total funding in the sector.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- It is also relevant to point out that significant proportions of development cooperation are channelled through non-governmental organizations and civil society, multilateral organizations, public-private partnerships and private contractors. In the water and sanitation sector, data reveal an unstable trend: in 2006, 51 per cent of funds were channelled through a public entity in developed States, while in 2011, that figure was 83 per cent.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Development cooperation in the water and sanitation sector 2016, para. 11
- Paragraph text
- More specifically with respect to the human right to water, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights explained that States parties are obligated to respect the enjoyment of that right in other countries, to refrain from actions that interfere with the enjoyment of the right to water in other countries and to prevent their own citizens and companies from violating the right to water of individuals and communities in other countries. In addition, the Committee indicated that States should facilitate realization of the right to water in other countries, for example through provision of water resources, financial and technical assistance and necessary aid when required, in a manner that is consistent with the Covenant and other human rights standards and that is sustainable and culturally appropriate. The economically developed States have a special responsibility and interest to assist the poorer developing States in that regard. The Committee also elaborated on the responsibility of States through multilateral organizations, indicating that State parties that are members of international financial institutions, notably the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and regional development banks, should take steps to ensure that the right to water is taken into account in their lending policies, credit agreements and other international measures (see E/C.12/2002/11, paras. 33, 34 and 36).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87o
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Where prepaid water meters are considered, ensure that households that face an inability to pay are not disconnected from water supply and that quantity, continuity and quality of water meet human rights standards.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87n
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Monitor affordability of water and sanitation service provision through focused studies that examine income levels in different settlements, considering all costs relating to access to water and sanitation, including hygiene and menstrual hygiene requirements;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87j
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Consider the impact of mechanisms adopted to ensure affordability, whether universal systems are actually universal in scope and reach beyond networked supply, and whether targeted systems (whether based on income, geographic location, type of access or other factor) in fact reach the intended beneficiaries;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87i
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Focus on ensuring affordability for the most disadvantaged, including communities in informal settlements and communities that rely on self-supply, and explore different mechanisms to achieve this;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87g
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Use public financing to support access for people living in poverty and those who are marginalized or discriminated against and eliminate inequalities in access to water and sanitation services;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87e
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Consider affordability standards together with other standards, particularly for availability and quality, to ensure that people can afford to pay for the services based on human rights standards;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87d
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Set affordability standards at the national and/or local level, based on a participatory process, involving in particular people living in poverty and other marginalized and disadvantaged individuals and groups, that consider all costs associated with water, sanitation and hygiene;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 87c
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur offers the following recommendations. States should take the following measures:] Consider establishing national legislation requiring that service providers and subnational governments include affordability concerns in policies and in service provision;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 84
- Paragraph text
- In terms of global monitoring, there are heightened challenges due to data gathering and comparability. The proposed goal 6.1 of the Sustainable Development Goals explicitly refers to achieving affordable drinking water for all, hence calling for including the criterion of affordability in global monitoring.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 80
- Paragraph text
- Monitoring affordability is essential for assessing whether standards are being met, and whether people in fact have access to affordable services. Unless efforts are made to monitor whether services are affordable for all, States and service providers alike will struggle to provide appropriate support to individuals and households that may have difficulties in paying for services.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 76
- Paragraph text
- Ensuring the affordability of water and sanitation services requires an effective legal and policy framework, which includes a strong regulatory system. The International Water Association Lisbon Charter recognizes the importance of regulation, recommending that regulators "supervise tariff schemes to ensure they are fair, sustainable and fit for purpose; promoting efficiency and affordability".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- At a broader level, communities have used participatory wealth rankings as a way of assessing poverty to determine how to target measures within their communities. Determining relative poverty in a community allows for targeting on that basis. Such participatory processes can provide detailed insights on local poverty and often include access to water as an indicator in the analysis.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 67
- Paragraph text
- To ensure affordability for all households, it is imperative that the blocks are set appropriately. If the first block is too small, or the tariff is too high, poor families will not be able to afford to buy sufficient quantities of water. However, if the first block is too large, or the tariff too low, then people who do not actually need the lowest rate will benefit, which may put the overall financial sustainability of the system at risk.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 66
- Paragraph text
- Increasing block tariffs is a common model for differential pricing in which differing quantities of water (or sewage) are charged at different rates. The first "block" may be set at a "lifeline" tariff - a sufficient quantity for the average household - at a low rate, generally below the cost of providing the service. Once this first "block" has been used, there is an increase in price so that households using water beyond their basic domestic and personal needs will pay comparatively more.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 56
- Paragraph text
- In different contexts, different mechanisms have been used with the aim of targeting financial support at those individuals and groups who rely on it to ensure the affordability of services. Subsidies could apply to low-income households, to areas populated predominantly by low-income communities, or to small-scale services likely to be used by those living in poverty or on a low-income.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 54i
- Paragraph text
- [Where States adopt targeted measures, this also poses challenges. In practice, unfortunately, such measures often fail to reach the target population for a variety of reasons, including:] In many instances, subsidies for water are targeted towards commercial or industrial users. Where such subsidies benefit users that do not actually rely on them for their livelihoods, they should be eliminated or reduced to free up resources for the benefit of the population in need.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Environment
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 54h
- Paragraph text
- [Where States adopt targeted measures, this also poses challenges. In practice, unfortunately, such measures often fail to reach the target population for a variety of reasons, including:] Those who are connected to water supply services but not to sewerage networks are often disadvantaged by cross-subsidies between water and sanitation services. This subsidy results in persons who have a water connection but no sewerage connection subsidizing better-off people or households that have such a connection;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 54f
- Paragraph text
- [Where States adopt targeted measures, this also poses challenges. In practice, unfortunately, such measures often fail to reach the target population for a variety of reasons, including:] Public financing is available only to those who have secure land tenure, thus excluding those living outside the formal legal system;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 54e
- Paragraph text
- [Where States adopt targeted measures, this also poses challenges. In practice, unfortunately, such measures often fail to reach the target population for a variety of reasons, including:] Often, due to an increasing block tariff structure, consumption subsidies do not benefit large families or multiple households sharing one water connection;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 54d
- Paragraph text
- [Where States adopt targeted measures, this also poses challenges. In practice, unfortunately, such measures often fail to reach the target population for a variety of reasons, including:] In most countries where subsidies are applied through tariff systems, these are only available to people connected to networks, thus excluding those who rely on kiosks, standpipes or public toilets;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 54b
- Paragraph text
- [Where States adopt targeted measures, this also poses challenges. In practice, unfortunately, such measures often fail to reach the target population for a variety of reasons, including:] There is excessive paperwork or a requirement for specific pieces of documentation that low-income or marginalized people may not have;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 53
- Paragraph text
- Where States choose to adopt universal systems for subsidizing service provision, they need to ensure that these are truly universal rather than reaching only as far as networked provision does. Financing for universal access, and indeed the universal realization of human rights, does not necessarily require one universal system. On the contrary, in many countries it will mean additional approaches that are targeted to reach people beyond utility networks.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- Recent projects in Dar es Salaam (United Republic of Tanzania), Blantyre (Malawi), Chinhoyi (Zimbabwe) and Kitwe (Zambia) driven by slum or shack dweller federations seek to develop citywide sanitation provision in situations where households can only afford $3-$4 per month. They look into choices for low-income households, loan financing and the crucial role of engagement with local authorities from the outset.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- Research suggests that some governments have succeeded in effectively using public funding for increasing access to sanitation. For instance, Thailand achieved nearly universal access to sanitation in the late 1990s due to sustained funding over decades based on a comprehensive programme. The Government has provided subsidies through revolving funds as well as funding for specific activities, with villages having flexibility in allocating funds to those most in need.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- In such instances, as in other contexts of self-supply, the human rights framework stresses that States have an obligation to support people in the realization of their human right to water and sanitation, where needed with financial assistance. States may not absolve themselves of their human rights obligations by relegating responsibilities to communities. What must be ensured is that sanitation and water services are affordable to even the most disadvantaged member of a community.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 41
- Paragraph text
- Public finance may also be provided for the maintenance and extension of water and sanitation services and facilities, including for connection charges. Where extensions are expected to reach all households, they can be an appropriate form of providing support to low-income households, as they will ensure more affordable and regular charges for water and sanitation than charges of informal provision.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- In the majority of developing countries, piped water and sewerage systems are accessible only to a minority of those living in urban areas - and to very few of those living in rural areas. Focusing public finance on networked provision thus disproportionately benefits comparatively better-off households, unless specific action is taken to extend networked provision to all residents.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 36
- Paragraph text
- To ensure affordability for all and a sustainable system, States must develop appropriate pricing, tariff and subsidy structures. In the following section, the report explores how public financing is allocated, and who is likely to benefit from this. The report then seeks to discuss how financing mechanisms can be used to effectively target those groups who rely on these mechanisms to ensure the affordability of services.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 34
- Paragraph text
- In some instances, disconnections have taken place on a large scale. For instance, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has been disconnecting water services with no consideration of whether people are able to pay or not. This led the former Special Rapporteur to state, "when there is genuine inability to pay, human rights simply forbids disconnections", and to demand the residents' immediate reconnection.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 27
- Paragraph text
- A number of countries have set standards for affordability. For instance, a regulation in Indonesia explains that "Tariff shall meet the principle of affordability... if domestic expense on the fulfilment of the standard of basic need for drinking water does not exceed 4% (four per cent) of the income of subscribers". For some households, however, even a small proportion of their expenditure will be too much, and water and sanitation must be available for free in these instances.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 24
- Paragraph text
- Although sometimes monetized in economic analyses, interventions provide some intangible benefits related to time saved, dignity gained and diseases and deaths prevented. The particularly positive impact for women and girls of investing in water and sanitation is crucial for achieving gender equality. Environmental benefits are also significant, given that improving water and sanitation services helps combat contamination and environmental degradation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Gender
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- In addition to material costs of service provision, the time spent on collecting water and accessing sanitation facilities outside the home must also be valued. As women and girls are largely responsible for collecting water, maintaining and cleaning sanitation facilities, and for ensuring the hygienic management of the household, these time costs have an important gender equality dimension.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Affordability of water and sanitation services 2015, para. 17
- Paragraph text
- While often overlooked, the use of hygiene facilities and services also has costs. The main expenses, other than installation of a handwashing station, are for water and soap for handwashing and personal hygiene, for water and cleaning products for domestic and food hygiene, and for sanitary napkins or other products for menstrual hygiene management.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Health
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 99i
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Develop monitoring systems to measure the progress States make, acknowledging that States have different starting points and baselines for achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as to monitor the progressive reduction of inequalities;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 99h
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Balance short-, medium- and long-term needs and address these through comprehensive planning. This implies not deferring immediate needs with promises of a long-term strategy that will eventually reach the entire population. Immediate needs must be addressed as a matter of priority, while minimizing the cost of any potential double investment in infrastructure;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 99g
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Prioritize groups and individuals who have been disadvantaged in the past in order to achieve substantive equality and to redress past disadvantage;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 99e
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Set priorities in a way to meet the most essential needs to ensure survival, health and dignity, considering the short-, medium- and long-term planning;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 99c
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Take into account the social, economic, political, cultural and environmental context in assessing the compliance of types of services with human rights;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 99b
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Take into account the different concerns as to meeting human rights standards related to each type of service in planning and implementation processes. It is important for States to consider that some combinations of types of services and management models may be not compliant and might even provide outcomes far from human rights standards;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 99a
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Use the human rights framework for water, sanitation and hygiene to identify appropriate types of services and to ensure that services are available, safe, acceptable, accessible and affordable to all;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 96
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur encourages States to develop more specific monitoring processes, considering the relevant indicators for their specific context. A central tenet of such processes is not only to monitor whether certain benchmarks have been met and reward States for meeting these targets, but also to measure the progress States make. Such a measurement would acknowledge that States have very different starting points and baselines for achieving universal access to water and sanitation. Looking at the Millennium Development Goals, they did not reward progress in countries that started from a very low baseline, even if their efforts were tremendous. Ethiopia, for example, improved access to sanitation from 3 per cent in 1990 to 21 per cent in 2010, thus making significant progress, but falling short of the Millennium Development Goals target. One shortcoming of the Millennium Development Goals measure is that such progress is not acknowledged, and monitoring fails to give justice to the concept of the progressive realization of human rights. The Special Rapporteur encourages States to develop models that can associate a given type of service with the realization of the rights to water and sanitation, while carefully taking into consideration the context in which it is applied.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 95
- Paragraph text
- In parallel, WHO and UN-Water monitor resources that flow into the sector and legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks that have been adopted. These assessments provide useful data to identify ways in which States meet their human rights obligations, particularly allowing to follow up the progressive realization of the rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 91
- Paragraph text
- How States balance these obligations, the solutions they adopt and how they reconcile meeting immediate needs with a long-term strategy of achieving an adequate standard of living depends on the context in each country, region and community. States must address these challenges through comprehensive planning, both for the short and the long term.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 90
- Paragraph text
- In many instances investments in improved levels of service, such as piped water and sewerage, have only reached the relatively well-off. Some States may not have sufficient resources to build the necessary infrastructure at a scale that would ensure universal access. However, in some cases, the extension of piped systems to city-wide coverage can be achieved over time with appropriate legislation, planning and financial management.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 87
- Paragraph text
- The strength of the human rights framework lies in combining the priority on achieving an essential level of service for all with the concept of progressively improving services together with the framework of substantive equality. Assessing who is unserved or underserved through the lens of non-discrimination and equality demands policymakers to address the structural causes for which many people have been disadvantaged through comprehensive measures.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 77
- Paragraph text
- The human rights criteria of availability, safety, acceptability, accessibility and affordability provide a standard against which solutions for water, sanitation and hygiene can be assessed. They stipulate the standard to be achieved. By themselves, however, they cannot be used to assess whether States are meeting their human rights obligations. The solutions proposed by the State need to be assessed contextually, with particular consideration of the resources available.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 76
- Paragraph text
- Generally, all of these services are provided through a household's own initiative, or through the initiative of the relevant institution. Where this is a State institution, whether a school, health centre or place of detention, there should be independent oversight to ensure that these services are adequate. Places where women are detained must ensure that women have access to the necessary facilities and materials for menstrual hygiene management.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Health
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Women
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- Many cultures use water for genital and anal cleansing, and again require sufficient quantities of water at the point of use. Water and cleaning materials are also required for keeping the toilet and surrounding area clean. Cleaning materials and disposal facilities are also necessary for managing child faeces hygienically.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Health
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- The category of individual on-site solutions also includes the provision of a household-level service by a well or borehole provided by a small-scale provider. Particular issues to consider include monitoring the proper construction, operation and maintenance of the borehole or well, in order to ensure that it is sustainable in terms of both technology and management.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 70
- Paragraph text
- Rainwater harvesting is also a common household (or shared) solution. Again there can be issues with household water treatment and storage, and continuity of supply in areas with variable rain. Rainwater harvesting can be particularly useful as an additional source of water to complement other forms of supply. Other types of self-supply, such as the collection of surface water, seldom meet the standards and principles of the human rights to water and sanitation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 58
- Paragraph text
- In some countries, individual solutions are regulated by a State institution. For example, such regulatory bodies may define the necessary dimensions of a septic tank, the requirements for the construction of a pit or the minimum distance of a latrine from a water source or a water table to avoid contamination.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 57
- Paragraph text
- In rural areas, for example, pit latrines may be acceptable if they are well-constructed and emptied as necessary, or filled in and rebuilt elsewhere. Problems arise where these types of latrines are not well built, or risk contaminating the water table. Hygiene concerns will arise if these latrines are not regularly cleaned, which may be difficult where latrine slabs are poorly constructed.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- This category includes public or communal toilet or latrine blocks and latrines privately shared between a few households. These may be managed by a utility, by small-scale or community providers or by the households concerned. Institutions such as schools, healthcare centres and detention centres generally use communal systems in the absence of a sewerage system, and may be either formally or informally provided.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 49
- Paragraph text
- Moreover, a flush toilet with a sewered connection requires considerably more water than other forms of sanitation, which can raise environmental and affordability concerns. Piped sewerage has also faced criticism from an ecological perspective, questioning whether it is the soundest solution to flush away excreta with large amounts of freshwater that become contaminated in the process.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- Further, piped systems often raise affordability concerns for the State, the service provider and the user. Even where a sewerage system exists and all residents are physically able to connect to it, including in informal settlements, connection charges may prevent poorer households from making use of this service, unless appropriate systems are in place to ensure affordability.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- Private household toilets linked to piped sewerage managed by a formal utility are often presented as the gold standard for sanitation. The historical development of sanitation in urban areas in the Global North largely explains the emergence of this technological conception. Institutions such as schools, health-care centres and detention centres will generally be connected to a formal sewerage network where this is available.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- Bearing in mind this categorization of different management models, this section of the report discusses different types of services for ensuring access to water, sanitation and hygiene, their links to different management models and oversight capacities that contribute to the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 41
- Paragraph text
- In some countries, small-scale-, NGO- or community-managed service providers are part of the formal institutional arrangement for ensuring access to water, sanitation and hygiene. This may be the case particularly in rural areas, where it may not be realistic to deliver piped services to individuals and households in the short term. These small-scale providers are usually recognized by the State and may receive some form of regulatory oversight.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 32
- Paragraph text
- Participation in decision-making regarding the type of service is only effective if there is access to sufficient and accurate information, which is in itself a human right. To be able to make informed choices, communities and individuals must have access to adequate information about the different technologies' long-term costs, sustainability and related health and environmental concerns.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- People must be able to voice their concerns freely. Those who are otherwise discriminated against or stigmatized may have particular difficulties in making their opinion heard as concerns the types of service that are acceptable to them. They must also be given the chance to present their opinions and influence decision-making. For decisions on types of services, women and girls' participation is essential.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 30
- Paragraph text
- The Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention), an instrument providing useful guidance on participation even beyond its regional scope, requires that public bodies take due account of the outcome of public participation and notify the public of the decision made, giving reasons and spelling out what was considered in reaching the decision.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 27
- Paragraph text
- Equality and non-discrimination are the central tenet of human rights, and are linked under human rights law. For individuals and groups to enjoy full equality, States must take all necessary steps to ensure substantive equality, which means preventing discrimination in both legislation and policies and in practice. The principle of non-discrimination is immediately binding for all levels and entities of a State, in all spheres and at all times.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- Facilities to meet hygiene requirements must be available wherever there are toilets or latrines, where water is stored and where food is prepared and served. These are required particularly for hand-washing, menstrual hygiene, the management of children's faeces and the preparation and consumption of food and drink.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 9
- Paragraph text
- Human rights require that where sanitation facilities are shared, including at the work place or health and other public institutions, there be a sufficient number of sanitation facilities with associated services to ensure that waiting times are not unreasonably long. Sanitation facilities must be reliably accessible to satisfy all needs throughout day and night, whether at home, the workplace or in public institutions.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 7
- Paragraph text
- A sufficient number of sanitation facilities has to be available. The necessary structures also have to be put in place to ensure the availability of services, such as policies programmes, institutions and sufficient personnel able to construct, maintain and manage the delivery of services.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 6
- Paragraph text
- Beyond an individual's access to a latrine or toilet, sanitation also has an important public health dimension. Adequate sanitation not only guarantees an individual's access, but also protects the human rights of others, including their rights to life, health, water and a healthy environment, by ensuring that the environment in which they live is not contaminated with faeces (see A/68/264).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- Utilities, as the first category considered, may be managed poorly or well, but they will generally have a formal structure and will be required to meet particular standards in service provision. There will generally be State-mandated or independent oversight of a utility's activities, whether or not this is effective. This includes regulatory bodies, which may set standards and targets and monitor issues such as quality and tariff-setting.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Different levels and types of services and the human rights to water and sanitation 2015, para. 34
- Paragraph text
- Poor and marginalized individuals and communities are often the passive objects of policymaking, excluded from public debate, unable to participate in political life and prevented from influencing the decisions that have a profound effect on their everyday lives. Access to information helps balance the unequal power dynamic that exists between marginalized individuals and groups and the State and other bodies such as service providers.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 86
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur encourages civil society organizations to support (strategic) litigation, in particular related to systemic and structural violations of the rights to water and sanitation linked to the obligations to progressively realize human rights, to use maximum available resources, to avoid unjustifiable retrogression, and to achieve substantive equality, including through preventing and combating stigmatization.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 85
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur recommends that non-State actors comply with their responsibility to respect human rights, that they be held accountable for human rights abuses, allow for an independent investigation into allegations, establish complaint mechanisms and proactively engage with the State to detect, and find solutions to address existing and potential human rights abuses .
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 84b
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that the United Nations treaty-monitoring bodies and regional human rights mechanisms:] Ensure that complaints procedures are applied so as to ensure access to justice, including both restorative and transformative remedies, for the comprehensive range of violations of the rights to water and sanitation,
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 84a
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that the United Nations treaty-monitoring bodies and regional human rights mechanisms:] Request that States provide information in their periodic reports on how they address the comprehensive range of violations of the rights to water and sanitation are addressed;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 83d
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur therefore focuses her recommendations on how to more effectively ensure that violations are identified, prevented and remedied, with an emphasis on those areas which have been most neglected. She recommends that States:] Ensure that the rights to water and sanitation are taken account of in administrative decisions interpreting legislation and exercising any discretion conferred by relevant legislation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 83c
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur therefore focuses her recommendations on how to more effectively ensure that violations are identified, prevented and remedied, with an emphasis on those areas which have been most neglected. She recommends that States:] Ensure that international law and jurisprudence on the rights to water and sanitation are used in interpreting and applying domestic legislation, regulations and policies;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 83b
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur therefore focuses her recommendations on how to more effectively ensure that violations are identified, prevented and remedied, with an emphasis on those areas which have been most neglected. She recommends that States:] Ensure that a comprehensive human rights framework is embedded in legislation, policy and practice with the aim of both preventing and remedying violations;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 83a
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur therefore focuses her recommendations on how to more effectively ensure that violations are identified, prevented and remedied, with an emphasis on those areas which have been most neglected. She recommends that States:] Recognize the full range of violations of the rights to water and sanitation and ensure access to justice for all such violations;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 82l
- Paragraph text
- [To emphasize a comprehensive understanding of violations of the human rights to water and sanitation resulting from failure to meet any human rights obligation, the Special Rapporteur stresses that:] Violations may result from failure to ensure access to remedies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 82k
- Paragraph text
- [To emphasize a comprehensive understanding of violations of the human rights to water and sanitation resulting from failure to meet any human rights obligation, the Special Rapporteur stresses that:] Violations may occur as a result of State conduct that has effects within a State's territory, or extraterritorially;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 82j
- Paragraph text
- [To emphasize a comprehensive understanding of violations of the human rights to water and sanitation resulting from failure to meet any human rights obligation, the Special Rapporteur stresses that:] Violations may result from the failure to meet substantive or procedural obligations such as ensuring participation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 82i
- Paragraph text
- [To emphasize a comprehensive understanding of violations of the human rights to water and sanitation resulting from failure to meet any human rights obligation, the Special Rapporteur stresses that:] Violations of the obligation to achieve substantive equality may result from the failure to take positive measures necessary to address pre-existing inequality or to provide reasonable accommodation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 82h
- Paragraph text
- [To emphasize a comprehensive understanding of violations of the human rights to water and sanitation resulting from failure to meet any human rights obligation, the Special Rapporteur stresses that:] Violations of the right to non-discrimination may result from de jure or de facto discrimination;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 82g
- Paragraph text
- [To emphasize a comprehensive understanding of violations of the human rights to water and sanitation resulting from failure to meet any human rights obligation, the Special Rapporteur stresses that:] Violations may result from direct action by the State or from the failure to regulate non-State actors;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 82f
- Paragraph text
- [To emphasize a comprehensive understanding of violations of the human rights to water and sanitation resulting from failure to meet any human rights obligation, the Special Rapporteur stresses that:] Violations may be of an individual or of a structural and systemic nature;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 82e
- Paragraph text
- [To emphasize a comprehensive understanding of violations of the human rights to water and sanitation resulting from failure to meet any human rights obligation, the Special Rapporteur stresses that:] Violations may result from immediate deprivations or from failures to implement comprehensive plans and strategies to ensure full realization of rights in the long term;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 82d
- Paragraph text
- [To emphasize a comprehensive understanding of violations of the human rights to water and sanitation resulting from failure to meet any human rights obligation, the Special Rapporteur stresses that:] Violations may result from retrogressive measures or from failures to make reasonable progress;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 82c
- Paragraph text
- [To emphasize a comprehensive understanding of violations of the human rights to water and sanitation resulting from failure to meet any human rights obligation, the Special Rapporteur stresses that:] Violations may relate to failures to provide minimum essential levels or from failures to progressively realize human rights commensurate with maximum available resources;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 80
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur is encouraged to see advances in identifying, preventing and remedying violations of the human rights to water and sanitation. Nevertheless, the extent of continuing violations constitutes a major human rights crisis. It is imperative for States to implement review and adjudication procedures to identify violations, with the full participation of stakeholders, and to prioritize action to address violations. The Special Rapporteur has found that, while more attention needs to be paid to violations of the rights to water and sanitation in general, progress has not been equal across the full range of obligations or for all groups of rights holders. Access to justice for violations at a more structural or systemic level, particularly in relation to the obligation to progressively realize the rights to water and sanitation, to avoid retrogressive measures and to achieve substantive equality, has lagged behind in comparison with access to justice for violations linked to the obligations to respect and to protect. Violations related to inequalities experienced by certain groups, such as people living in poverty, informal settlements, or rural and remote communities, or homeless people, have remained largely unchallenged in courts, despite their severity.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Poverty
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 78
- Paragraph text
- Given this context, the notion of restorative remedies for violations, whereby the status quo ante is restored, may fall short of addressing the underlying violations at the structural or systemic level. Consequently, transformative remedies, which aim not only to correct direct violations but also the underlying structural conditions, are required in order to provide comprehensive remedies to structural and systemic violations. Examples of such transformative remedies are participatory structural injunctions that require the State to adopt a plan to correct a structural violation with the meaningful participation of beneficiaries and report back to the court on progress made. This allows courts to supervise progress and make ancillary orders to ensure that both the process and outcomes are consistent with the rights to water and sanitation. As such, transformative remedies can move claimants further towards the full enjoyment of human rights. Without such remedies, there is a risk that access to justice will be limited to those people who are in a position to seek remedies for themselves and will preclude claims in the public interest. States may need to ensure that their constitutional and legislative frameworks clearly give their judicial systems the responsibility to provide systemic remedies and to accept complaints in the public interest.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 77
- Paragraph text
- Violations of the human rights to water and sanitation are often complex and interrelated. For instance, victims of violations of the obligations to respect rights, such as those living in informal settlements, are often in precarious situations caused by violations of the obligation to fulfil rights. Many violations can be traced to unequal power relationships and systemically entrenched patterns of discrimination.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 66
- Paragraph text
- Without collecting data on inequalities, States are unable to identify systemic discrimination and inequalities. The failure to collect data makes it more difficult, if not impossible, to hold States to account for a lack of progress. In the context of disability, article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities explicitly obliges States to collect and disaggregate data to enable them to formulate appropriate policies. There is often a misconception that the collection of disaggregated data would be discriminatory as such. However, the contrary is true: disaggregated data are necessary in order to address inequalities. Where States fail to take reasonable measures and to make monitoring part of their planning exercises, they may be violating human rights. In collecting such data, States must put in place appropriate mechanisms to safeguard the privacy and security of individuals and groups and prevent misuse of data. This includes repealing laws that criminalize people because of their identity, for instance on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, in order to avoid a particular population group being targeted and abused under the pretext of monitoring. Without such safeguards, being identified as a distinct group may be politically sensitive, reinforce stigma and result in grave risks to individuals and groups.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Persons with disabilities
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- Examples of violations include (a) lack of protection against denial of access to facilities; (b) lack of protection of health and dignity for sanitation workers; (c) lack of protection from violence when accessing facilities; and (d) lack of protection from harmful practices, in particular in the context of sanitation and menstrual hygiene.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Health
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 56a
- Paragraph text
- [Examples of violations of the right to equality and non-discrimination can be grouped in the following categories:] Exclusion of groups or individuals from services or facilities, or failure to take measures to achieve substantive equality and address systemic patterns of inequalities;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- While case law for enforcing the obligation to fulfil is still relatively limited, the Special Rapporteur is pleased to witness significant advances in almost all areas - from ensuring minimum essential levels to progressive realization through plans and strategies and scrutinizing budgets. She encourages all stakeholders to further such initiatives to build a more comprehensive body of case law.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 46
- Paragraph text
- A retrogressive measure is one that leads to a backward movement in the enjoyment of the human rights to water and sanitation. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has stated that the burden of proof rests with the State to show that the adoption of retrogressive measures was based on the most careful consideration of alternatives, that disadvantaged groups have been prioritized and that the measures can be justified by reference to the totality of the rights and by the fact that full use was made of available resources. The Committee has mainly expressed concern about measures that are deliberately retrogressive, in particular in the context of austerity measures. The Special Rapporteur has previously stated that even if not deliberately retrogressive, some acts and omissions may have a retrogressive effect, for instance where States fail to ensure operation and maintenance and services are unsustainable as a result. Even where retrogression is non-deliberate, the human rights framework obliges States to act with care and deliberation, to assess the impacts of their actions and omissions, and to adjust their policies and measures as soon as they become aware that current policies might lead to unsustainable results. States' failure to meet this obligation may result in human rights violations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 43
- Paragraph text
- Civil society organizations have also made important advances in assessing whether maximum available resources are being raised and utilized, providing evidence on which to adjudicate claims. The Special Rapporteur recommends that courts, human rights bodies, and civil society make concerted efforts to demand budget transparency and bring budgetary decisions under review for human rights compliance.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- Violations may result from failure: (a) to design and implement a strategy based on human rights standards and principles; (b) to identify and meet targets in line with human rights standards; (c) to ensure effective monitoring and accountability; and (d) to target vulnerable or marginalized communities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- International organizations may also contribute to the perpetration of violations, which calls for enhanced accountability. Article 55 (c) of the Charter of the United Nations stipulates that the United Nations shall promote "universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all". It would go against the very object and purpose of the Charter if the United Nations itself were not required to respect the human rights law it promotes.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- Other violations arise from the criminalization of activities linked to access to water or sanitation, such as the prohibition of public defecation or urination when no other options are available - partially as a result of increasing closures of public facilities. The criminalization of homelessness frequently leads to serious violations of the right to sanitation, but these are rarely taken to court by affected groups, as they often face serious stigma and a constant battle to survive. However, a court in the United States struck down ordinances preventing homeless people from engaging in life-sustaining activities linked to the right to sanitation: "The harmless conduct for which they are arrested is inseparable from their involuntary condition of being homeless. Consequently, arresting homeless people for harmless acts they are forced to perform in public effectively punishes them for being homeless". On her mission to the United States, the Special Rapporteur observed circumstances among homeless people who had devised a makeshift "toilet" from which one individual carried bags of human waste to dispose of in public toilets. The Special Rapporteur noted that this may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The Human Rights Committee in its review of the United States also expressed concern with respect to the criminalization of behaviours related to homelessness.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 19
- Paragraph text
- Violations through direct interference are often addressed by national courts interpreting domestic law in line with international human rights law. The Court of Appeal of Botswana, for example, relied on the right to water as set out in general comment No. 15 and the General Assembly resolution on the right to water and sanitation to interpret constitutional provisions. It found that preventing a community of Bushmen from accessing their traditional boreholes amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment. In the context of informal settlements in Argentina, a court found that a discontinuation of water supplied with tanker trucks violated the rights to "a healthy environment and dignified housing", ordering the resumption of water provision. The court also ordered the progressive improvement of the water distribution system, thereby demonstrating that violations of the obligation to respect are often linked to violations of obligations to fulfil. The Human Rights Committee found that Bulgaria had violated the right to home and family, as well as the rights to life and non-discrimination, by allowing the Municipality of Sofia to disconnect the water supply to a Roma community. The Committee requested Bulgaria to issue interim measures requiring the authorities to reconnect the water supply.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 17c
- Paragraph text
- [The obligation to respect the rights to water and sanitation requires States to refrain from action that will unjustifiably interfere with their enjoyment. This obligation is of immediate effect. Common violations of the obligation to respect can be placed within the following categories:] Criminalization of activities linked to water or sanitation and punitive measures.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 17b
- Paragraph text
- [The obligation to respect the rights to water and sanitation requires States to refrain from action that will unjustifiably interfere with their enjoyment. This obligation is of immediate effect. Common violations of the obligation to respect can be placed within the following categories:] Pollution, diversion or depletion of water resources;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 17a
- Paragraph text
- [The obligation to respect the rights to water and sanitation requires States to refrain from action that will unjustifiably interfere with their enjoyment. This obligation is of immediate effect. Common violations of the obligation to respect can be placed within the following categories:] Direct interference with access to water or sanitation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Common violations of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- Developments over recent decades have brought greater clarity to the identification of violations of economic, social and cultural rights. The Maastricht Guidelines on Violations of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights draw on the typology of obligations to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, clarifying that failures to comply with any obligation - be it failures to utilize maximum available resources, or deliberate actions - constitute violations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 92c
- Paragraph text
- [Further, States and other stakeholders should take the following measures:] Civil society organizations, national human rights institutions, community-based organizations and others should contribute to promoting active, free and meaningful participation of all people concerned and support people to participate in decision-making processes;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 92a
- Paragraph text
- [Further, States and other stakeholders should take the following measures:] States should ratify international and regional instruments that guarantee the human right to participation, as well as the respective complaint mechanisms. In processes before international mechanisms, States should encourage civil society participation to make these processes meaningful;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91d (v)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must ensure participation at all levels of decision-making, including strategic decisions on the overall direction of legislation and policies, priorities in the use of resources and questions of distribution and redistribution. This includes: Monitoring, evaluation and accountability;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91d (iv)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must ensure participation at all levels of decision-making, including strategic decisions on the overall direction of legislation and policies, priorities in the use of resources and questions of distribution and redistribution. This includes: Projects that may threaten the realization of human rights and impact assessments carried out in that context;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91d (ii)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must ensure participation at all levels of decision-making, including strategic decisions on the overall direction of legislation and policies, priorities in the use of resources and questions of distribution and redistribution. This includes: Financing and budgeting;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91d (i)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must ensure participation at all levels of decision-making, including strategic decisions on the overall direction of legislation and policies, priorities in the use of resources and questions of distribution and redistribution. This includes: Planning and formulation of policy and legal frameworks;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91c (vi)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] To ensure active, free and meaningful participation, States must ensure that the following elements are in place: Providing reasonable opportunities to influence decision-making and feedback on what proposals have been taken into account and what proposals have been rejected, and why;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91c (v)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] To ensure active, free and meaningful participation, States must ensure that the following elements are in place: Ensuring access to information;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91c (iv)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] To ensure active, free and meaningful participation, States must ensure that the following elements are in place: Guaranteeing free and safe participation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91c (iii)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] To ensure active, free and meaningful participation, States must ensure that the following elements are in place: Enabling people to access participatory processes;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91c (ii)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] To ensure active, free and meaningful participation, States must ensure that the following elements are in place: Creating space for participation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91c (i)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] To ensure active, free and meaningful participation, States must ensure that the following elements are in place: Involving people in setting out the terms of the engagement;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91b (v)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must take concrete and deliberate measures to ensure that participatory processes are inclusive and do not inadvertently further entrench inequalities, including by: Creating safe spaces for deliberation, where appropriate;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91b (iv)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must take concrete and deliberate measures to ensure that participatory processes are inclusive and do not inadvertently further entrench inequalities, including by: Addressing gender stereotypes;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91b (iii)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must take concrete and deliberate measures to ensure that participatory processes are inclusive and do not inadvertently further entrench inequalities, including by: Eliminating institutional, physical, economic, attitudinal, social or other barriers that specific groups may face;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91b (ii)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must take concrete and deliberate measures to ensure that participatory processes are inclusive and do not inadvertently further entrench inequalities, including by: Using a wide variety of methods and channels to reach different groups;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91b (i)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must take concrete and deliberate measures to ensure that participatory processes are inclusive and do not inadvertently further entrench inequalities, including by: Identifying groups that are typically marginalized;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91a (v)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must take measures to institutionalize participation, including by: Balancing technical expertise with knowledge gained through experience, encouraging technical experts to act as facilitators and to enable people to make informed choices;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91a (iv)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must take measures to institutionalize participation, including by: Equipping institutions to facilitate participatory processes and training officials in the interpersonal skills needed for participatory engagement;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91a (iii)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must take measures to institutionalize participation, including by: Incorporating the costs of participatory processes in the initial design of any measures;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91a (ii)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must take measures to institutionalize participation, including by: Spelling out the instruments, processes, responsible institutions and other details of participatory processes in legislation and policies;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 91a (i)
- Paragraph text
- [States must take the following measures:] States must take measures to institutionalize participation, including by: Considering recognizing the right to participation in national constitutions;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 81
- Paragraph text
- Participatory approaches to monitoring and evaluation are gaining ground. Participatory monitoring and evaluation differs from conventional approaches in that local people take charge of the process. The participants themselves design the methodology, define the indicators, collect and analyse the data and decide how it should inform action.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 77
- Paragraph text
- Responding to emergencies poses particular challenges for participation. There is often a concern that States and humanitarian actors need to be able to act quickly and that participatory processes would slow down responses. However, many decisions on disaster response are taken beforehand, and participation is essential at the planning stage. Moreover, in many instances emergency responses develop into more long-term programmes. In relation to menstrual hygiene management during an emergency, for instance, a solution might be to include a standard response for distributing sanitary kits to make sure that immediate needs are met on the basis of cultural preferences as far as they are known, or assumed. This response should be monitored subsequently to assess whether it meets women's and girls' needs, and then adjusted accordingly. The need for a rapid response should not be used as an excuse to pre-empt participation. What is needed instead, in particular given the wide range of actors involved in this context, is a broader discussion on how participation can be ensured in cases of emergencies and provision of humanitarian assistance through participatory planning in advance, as well as in monitoring and adjusting emergency responses. The standards contained in The Sphere Handbook recognize that participation by people affected by disaster is integral to humanitarian response.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Women
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph