The Right to Water and Sanitation 1 Corinne Waelti, seecon international gmbh

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The Right to Water and Sanitation Find this presentation and more on: Contents 1. Introduction 2. Normative Content 3. National Implementation 4. Summary 5. References 3

The Right to Water and Sanitation Find this presentation and more on: The overall Problem 4 1. Introduction 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:

The Right to Water and Sanitation Find this presentation and more on: Accessibility to Water and Sanitation needs to be: 5 2. Normative Content 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 Find this presentation and more on: Obligations of the State Parties to the Covenant 6 2. Normative Content UN COMMITTEE&CESCR (2002) Respect: Refrain from interfering with the right to water and sanitation. Protect: Prevent third parties from interfering. Fulfil: Facilitate, promote, and provide. State Parties Cooperate and assist each other

The Right to Water and Sanitation Find this presentation and more on: National level International level Implementation of Water Rights 7 3. National Level Clear set of principles and goals Translation into specific frameworks adapted to the needs and conditions of each country Guidance Government United Nations UN Pact I Policy formulation Regulation Provision of services COHRE et al. (2007)

The Right to Water and Sanitation Find this presentation and more on: National level International level Implementation of Water Rights 8 3. National Level Clear set of principles and goals Translation into specific frameworks adapted to the needs and conditions of each country Guidance Government United Nations UN Pact I Policy formulation Regulation Provision of services Individuals Communities Civil society organisations Independent monitoring bodies International organisations Water users Private service providers Key Actors COHRE et al. (2007)

The Right to Water and Sanitation Find this presentation and more on: Prerequisites for successful Implementation of Water Rights 9 3. National Level COHRE et al. (2007) Successful implementation Awareness Human capacity & funding Planned process Field-level government officials Community ownership Mediation through an NGO

The Right to Water and Sanitation Find this presentation and more on: 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. Key Activities for successful Implementation of Water Rights National Level WORLD WATER COUNCIL (2006)

The Right to Water and Sanitation Find this presentation and more on: Implementation Benefits National Level Improved accountability Focus on vulnerable and marginalised groups Increased participation in decision-making Individual and community empowerment COHRE et al. (2007) Source: WSP (2000)

The Right to Water and Sanitation Find this presentation and more on: Successfully implementing the Human Right to Water and Sanitation Summary 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)

The Right to Water and Sanitation Find this presentation and more on: References AGUASAN (2011): Water and Sanitation Are Human Rights – So What? 27 th AGUASAN Workshop in Gwatt, Switzerland. URL: [Accessed: ]. 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: [Accessed: ]. 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: [Accessed: ]. WORLD WATER COUNCIL (Editor) (2006): The Right to Water: From Concept to Implementation. WORLD WATER COUNCIL. URL: [Accessed: ].

The Right to Water and Sanitation 14 “Linking up Sustainable Sanitation, Water Management & Agriculture” SSWM is an initiative supported by: Created by: