Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation

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Introduction

Human Rights Council resolution 7/22 expresses deep concern “that over one billion people lack access to safe drinking water and that 2.6 billion lack access to safe sanitation.” Having access to safe drinking and sanitation is central to living a life in dignity and upholding human rights. The mandate of the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation was established to examine these crucial issues from a human rights perspective and provide recommendations to the Human Rights Council, and other actors in this regard Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque was appointed as Independent Expert in September 2008, and began her work on the mandate in November 2008. As Independent Expert, she is called upon to undertake specific tasks:

(a) Firstly, on developing a dialogue with Governments, the relevant United Nations bodies, the private sector, local authorities, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations and academic institutions, to identify, promote and exchange views on best practices related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and, in that regard, to prepare a compendium of best practices;

 (b) Secondly, on advancing the work by undertaking a study, in cooperation with and reflecting the views of Governments and relevant United Nations bodies, and in further cooperation with the private sector, local authorities, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations and academic institutions, on the further clarification of the content of human rights  obligations, including non-discrimination obligations, in relation to access to safe drinking water and sanitation;

(c) Thirdly, on making recommendations that could help the realization of the Millennium Development Goals, in particular of Goal 7.

The Independent Expert also undertakes country missions with the aim of examining the situation of water and sanitation at the national level, identifying good practices, and making recommendations to the Government on steps to improve access and ensure protection of human rights associated with water and sanitation.

Recent missions

Independent Experts - Special Rapporteurs

Independent Experts or Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. This position is honorary and the expert is not United Nations staff nor paid for his/her work. The Special Rapporteurs are part of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.

For more on Independent Experts and Special Rapporteurs, please refer to Fact Sheet N° 27: Seventeen Frequently Asked Questions about United Nations Special Rapporteurs.