The Right to Water and Sanitation
Corinne Waelti, seecon international gmbh
The Right to Water and Sanitation
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The Right to Water and Sanitation
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Contents
1. Introduction
2. Normative Content
3. National Implementation
4. Summary
5. References
The Right to Water and Sanitation
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1. Introduction
The overall Problem
The human right to water
The right to water entitles every person to access a sufficient
amount of clean and affordable water for personal and domestic
use.
The human right to sanitation
The right to sanitation is access to, and use of, excreta and
wastewater facilities and services that ensure privacy and dignity.
Both rights are implicitly contained in Art. 11 and 12
of the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights (UN Pact I).
Source:
http://openclipart.org/detail/23722
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2. Normative Content
Accessibility to Water and Sanitation needs to be:
• Within safe physical reach for each person
• Within the immediate vicinity of each household, education
institution and workplace
• Affordable for all
• Provided in a non-discriminatory manner
• Provided sufficiently and continuously
• Of good enough quality (free from microorganisms, chemical
substances and radiological hazards)
UN COMMITTEE&CESCR (2002)
The Right to Water and Sanitation
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2. Normative Content
Obligations of the State Parties to the Covenant
Respect:
Refrain from
interfering with the
right to water and
sanitation.
State Parties
Cooperate and
assist each other
Protect:
Prevent third parties
from interfering.
Fulfil:
Facilitate, promote,
and provide.
UN COMMITTEE&CESCR (2002)
The Right to Water and Sanitation
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3. National Level
Implementation of Water Rights
International level
United Nations
UN Pact I
Clear set of principles and goals
Guidance
National level
• Policy
formulation
Government
• Regulation
• Provision of
services
Translation into specific
frameworks adapted to
the needs and conditions
of each country
COHRE et al. (2007)
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3. National Level
Implementation of Water Rights
Individuals
International level
United Nations
Key Actors
UN Pact I
Private service
providers
International
Clear set of principles
and goals
organisations
Civil society
Independent
organisations
monitoring
Guidance
bodies
Water users
Communities
National level
• Policy
formulation
Government
• Regulation
• Provision of
services
Translation into specific
frameworks adapted to
the needs and conditions
of each country
COHRE et al. (2007)
The Right to Water and Sanitation
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3. National Level
Prerequisites for successful Implementation of Water Rights
Human
capacity &
funding
Awareness
Successful
implementation
Mediation
through an NGO
Planned
process
Field-level
government
officials
Community
ownership
COHRE et al. (2007)
The Right to Water and Sanitation
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3. National Level
Key Activities for successful Implementation of Water Rights
• A clear understanding: Everyone should know what the right to
water means.
• Awareness and education: The public and consumers must be
informed about their rights and duties.
• Community participation: All stakeholders should be included in the
decision-making process.
• Improving the enforcement of the right to water: Every person
should be able to seek justice on the national and international
level.
• Domestic and international solidarity schemes: Ensuring the access
for poor/rural areas and marginalised groups.
• Linking access to water with access to sanitation.
WORLD WATER COUNCIL (2006)
The Right to Water and Sanitation
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3. National Level
Implementation Benefits
• Improved accountability
• Focus on vulnerable and
marginalised groups
• Increased participation in
decision-making
• Individual and community
empowerment
COHRE et al. (2007)
Source: WSP (2000)
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4. Summary
Successfully implementing the Human Right to Water and Sanitation
Normative criteria for a full
realisation of rights
•
•
•
•
•
Availability (sufficient supply)
Accessibility
Quality/safety
Affordability
Acceptability (culturally
acceptable facilities)
Cross-cutting criteria for good
practices
Non-discrimination
Participation
Accountability
Impact (Resulting in better
enjoyment of Human Rights)
• Sustainability (long-lasting and
continuous impacts)
•
•
•
•
AGUASAN (2011)
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5. References
AGUASAN (2011): Water and Sanitation Are Human Rights – So What? 27th AGUASAN Workshop in Gwatt, Switzerland. URL:
http://www.skat.ch/publications/prarticle.2005-09-29.5069774463/prarticle.2005-09-29.1875579521 [Accessed: 12.06.2012].
COHRE (Editor), AAAS (Editor), SDC (Editor), UN-HABITAT (Editor) (2007): Manual on the Right to Water and Sanitation. Geneva:
Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE). URL:
www.worldwatercouncil.org/fileadmin/wwc/Programs/Right_to_Water/Pdf_doct/RTWP__20Manual_RTWS_Final.pdf [Accessed:
06.06.2012].
UN COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC (Editor), SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS (CESCR GC 15) (Editor) (2002): General Comment No. 15
(2002): The Right to Water (arts. 11 and 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), 20 January
2003 (E/C.12/2002/11) . CESCR, GC 15.
WSP (Editor) (2000): WSP 2000 Cartoon Calendar. Water and Sanitation Programme (WSP). URL:
http://www.wsp.org/wsp/about/Cartoon%20Calendars/2000%20Calendar [Accessed: 06.06.2012].
WORLD WATER COUNCIL (Editor) (2006): The Right to Water: From Concept to Implementation. WORLD WATER COUNCIL. URL:
www.worldwatercouncil.org/fileadmin/wwc/Programs/Right_to_Water/Pdf_doct/RightToWater_FinalText_Cover.pdf [Accessed:
13.06.2012].
The Right to Water and Sanitation
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“Linking up Sustainable Sanitation,
Water Management & Agriculture”
SSWM is an
initiative
supported by:
Created
by:
The Right to Water and Sanitation
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