Monitoring Water Governance:
the role of National Human Rights Institutions
 Changes since 2000::
Recognition of the human right to water and
sanitation
Constitutional recognition of right to a healthy
environment
Expansion of democracy & the rule of law
 Changes since 2000:
Global Freshwater crisis documented and described
 Joint letter of HRC mandate holders to Rio+ 20:
 Urgency of environmental issues
 ‘Constitutional Moment’ required
 Monitoring and review mechanisms needed
 National accountability mechanisms needed
HRBA to monitoring is game changer:
* redefinition of access: 4.1 billion without
sanitation, 1.6 billion without safe water
* sanitation and water evaluated in terms of
impact on health:
* sanitation includes safe disposal of faeces,
urine and wastewater;
* includes monitoring of wastewater streams and
pollution
HRBA to monitoring is game changer:
* ensures shift in priorities requiring focus on
marginalised groups: women, low income
groups, rural areas, informal settlements
* requires monitoring of impact on poorest groups
which MDG’s failed to do
National Human Rights Institution Initiative
for good water governance
Objectives
*
enhancing the role of NHRIs in relation to the
human right to water
* support NHRIs in monitoring water governance
Vision
* open call for collaboration
* all interested NHRIs:
1. NHRIs already active with regards to the right to water who are already able to share valuable
experiences/practices/tools/resources,
2. NHRIs currently having a more limited role in investigating, promoting and protecting the human
right to water but wishing to enhance their capacity to this end
* who wish to strengthen their role in monitoring water
governance through the advancement, promotion and
protection of the human right to water
* who wish to contribute to an enhanced human rights
based water governance
Goals of the NHRI water initiative
Capacity building
Community building
Goals of the NHRI water initiative
Capacity building
Community building
 Undertaking tailor made trainings on
the ground and providing technical
support;
 Delivering publications and practical
guides to respond to specific needs of
NHRIs;
 Developing other tools and methods
to support NHRIs in need.
 Build a community of practice through
the creation of a network;
 Systematize of information, tools,
resources and good practices of
NHRIs;
 Support NHRIs in monitoring water
governance by facilitating exchange
and sharing existing monitoring and
other best practices.
Expected key results
* NHRIs have an increased capacity of monitoring water governance through capacity
building and sharing of best practices/experiences among peers
* NHRIs have a strengthened role in monitoring a human rights based post 2015 agenda
* Improvement of the existing redress/complaint mechanism of NHRIs to respond more
efficiently to demands to address alleged infringements of rights
* Point of reference for NHRIs is provided: ensuring access to information, best practices of
NHRIs in relation to the right to water
* The human right to water is promoted contributing to the overall aim of protecting
human rights and a human rights based water governance
Activities envisaged for 2014
Activity component
Activity
Year 2014-2015
Launch of the initiative:
Kick off by a meeting organized at the annual
gathering of NHRIs (ICC27)
Publications, practical
guides:
Compilation of good practices
Capacity building
activities:
Design of training material and delivery of
trainings on the ground
Project partners
 Leading role to NHRIs
 Hungarian Ombudsman for Future
Generations
 WaterLex
NHRIs expressing support/interest
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Argentina
Denmark
Mexico
Kenya
Nepal
Namibia
Bangladesh
Uganda
and hopefully many more!
Thank You!
Dr Tobias Schmitz
Director of operations
WaterLex
t.schmitz@waterlex.org
For further information contact: Viktoria Mohos Naray
v.mohos@waterlex.org
http://www.waterlex.org/