Centre On Housing Rights and Evictions – Housing Rights for Everyone, Everywhere

www.cohre.org

INTRODUCTION TO THE RIGHT TO WATER AND SANITATION

Istanbul, March 2009

Kerubo OkiogaCOHRE Right to Water Programme, Kenya

Centre On Housing Rights and Evictions – Housing Rights for Everyone, Everywhere

www.cohre.org

Where is the right defined?

• General Comment No. 15 by UN CESCR (expert body mandated by UN GA to interpret ICESCR)

• UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights (expert body advising UN Human Rights Council) Guidelines on the right to water and sanitation

• United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights 2007 study for UN Human Rights Council on human rights obligations on equitable access to water and sanitation

Centre On Housing Rights and Evictions – Housing Rights for Everyone, Everywhere

www.cohre.org

Substance of the right

Progressive realisation of:• sufficient and safe water for essential personal

and domestic uses • adequate and culturally acceptable water and

sanitation facility accessible in/near each home, school, health institution and workplace, and which is conducive to public health and protection of environment

• affordable water and sanitation (taking into account ability to secure all essential goods and services)

Centre On Housing Rights and Evictions – Housing Rights for Everyone, Everywhere

www.cohre.org

Process of realising the right: Human rights principles

• Non-discrimination and attention to vulnerable and marginalised groups: equitable allocation of resources, address needs of each group

• Genuine participation and access to information: at all levels

• Transparency and accountability: redress mechanisms, complaints mechanisms

Centre On Housing Rights and Evictions – Housing Rights for Everyone, Everywhere

www.cohre.org

Benefits of recognizing access to water and sanitation as a human right

• Access to water and sanitation is seen as a legal entitlement

• Promotes accountability• Priority given to most vulnerable and

excluded groups• Focus on process not just outcomes• Promotes improvements to domestic

monitoring• Provides a means of redress for those

whose rights are violated

Centre On Housing Rights and Evictions – Housing Rights for Everyone, Everywhere

The Beginning!

Thank You