water sanitation human right powerpoint_meeting1_20101007

8/9/2019 Water Sanitation Human Right Powerpoint_meeting1_20101007

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The Emerging Human Right toThe Emerging Human Right to

Water and Sanitation underWater and Sanitation underInternational LawInternational Law

Sharmila L. Murthy, FellowSharmila L. Murthy, Fellow

Carr Center for Human Rights PolicyCarr Center for Human Rights Policy

Right to Water Study GroupRight to Water Study GroupOct. 7, 2010Oct. 7, 2010


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Water is crucial for survivalWater is crucial for survival

•• 900 million people do not have available900 million people do not have availablesources of clean drinking watersources of clean drinking water

•• 2.5 billion live w/o basic sanitation2.5 billion live w/o basic sanitation

•• 3.3 million die per year from waterborne3.3 million die per year from waterbornediseases, such as cholera, typhoid &diseases, such as cholera, typhoid &

dysenterydysentery


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Water is increasingly scarceWater is increasingly scarce

•• Water use is increasing exponentiallyWater use is increasing exponentially•• Less than 3% of worldLess than 3% of world’ ’ s water is freshs water is fresh – –and most is locked in polar ice & glaciersand most is locked in polar ice & glaciers

•• Lakes, rivers, aquifers, etc. make up lessLakes, rivers, aquifers, etc. make up lessthan 1% of the earththan 1% of the earth’ ’ s total water supplys total water supply


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The Genesis of the Debate: IsThe Genesis of the Debate: Is

Water only a Need or also a Right?Water only a Need or also a Right?

•• 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights•• 1966 Int1966 Int’ ’ l Covenant on Economic, Social &l Covenant on Economic, Social &

Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and IntCultural Rights (ICESCR) and Int’ ’ l Covenant onl Covenant onCivil & Political Rights (ICCPR)Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR)

•• 1972 UN Conference on the Human1972 UN Conference on the HumanEnvironment in StockholmEnvironment in Stockholm

– – Principle 2 of Declaration:Principle 2 of Declaration: “ “the natural resources ofthe natural resources ofthe earth, including the air, water, land, flora andthe earth, including the air, water, land, flora andfaunafauna…… must be safeguarded for the benefit ofmust be safeguarded for the benefit ofpresent & future generationspresent & future generations…” …”


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1977 Mar Del Plata Water1977 Mar Del Plata Water

Conference in ArgentinaConference in Argentina•• Resolution II of Action Plan onResolution II of Action Plan on “ “CommunityCommunity

Water SupplyWater Supply” ” declared:declared: – – “ “ All peoples . . . have the right to have access to All peoples . . . have the right to have access to

drinking water in quantities and of a quality equal todrinking water in quantities and of a quality equal totheir basic needs.their basic needs.” ”

– – Water and disposal of waste water are essential forWater and disposal of waste water are essential forlife and development of manlife and development of man

– – Called for intCalled for int’ ’ l cooperation so thatl cooperation so that “ “water is attainablewater is attainable

and is justly and equitably distributed among theand is justly and equitably distributed among thepeople within the respective countries.people within the respective countries.” ”

•• Declared International Drinking Water Supply &Declared International Drinking Water Supply &

Sanitation Decade (1981Sanitation Decade (1981--1990)1990)


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1992 Int1992 Int’ ’ l Conference on Water &l Conference on Water &

Environment in DublinEnvironment in Dublin

•• Principle 4 of Dublin Statement:Principle 4 of Dublin Statement: – – “ “water has an economic value in all itswater has an economic value in all itscompeting uses and should be recognized ascompeting uses and should be recognized as

an economic good.an economic good.” ” – – “ “it is vital to recognize first the basic right ofit is vital to recognize first the basic right of

all human beings to have access to cleanall human beings to have access to clean

water and sanitation at an affordable price.water and sanitation at an affordable price.” ”


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1992 UN Conference on1992 UN Conference on

Environment & Development in RioEnvironment & Development in Rio

•• Rio Declaration does not contain a specificRio Declaration does not contain a specificreference to water, but Agenda 21, Chapter 18reference to water, but Agenda 21, Chapter 18of Summit stated:of Summit stated: – – “ “water resources have to be protected, taking intowater resources have to be protected, taking into

account the functioning of aquatic ecosystems andaccount the functioning of aquatic ecosystems andthethe perennialityperenniality of the resources, in order to satisfyof the resources, in order to satisfyand reconcile needs for water in human activities. Inand reconcile needs for water in human activities. In

developing and using water resources, priority has todeveloping and using water resources, priority has tobe given to the satisfaction of basic needs and thebe given to the satisfaction of basic needs and thesafeguarding of the ecosystems.safeguarding of the ecosystems.” ”

– – Endorsed Mar del Plata resolution that all peoplesEndorsed Mar del Plata resolution that all peoples

have the right to have access to drinking water andhave the right to have access to drinking water andcalled thiscalled this “ “the commonly agreed premise.the commonly agreed premise.” ”


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1996: Two Int1996: Two Int’ ’ l Groups Createdl Groups Created

•• World Water Council (WWC)World Water Council (WWC) – – Supposed to act as a think tank on waterSupposed to act as a think tank on waterresources mattersresources matters

•• Global Water Partnership (GWP)Global Water Partnership (GWP) – – Established as a working partnership amongEstablished as a working partnership among

all entities involved in water to supportall entities involved in water to supportcountries in integrated water resourcescountries in integrated water resources

managementmanagement


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WWC & GWP work leads toWWC & GWP work leads to

creation of World Water Forumscreation of World Water Forums

•• 1997 Marrakech1997 Marrakech•• 2000 The Hague2000 The Hague

•• 2003 Kyoto2003 Kyoto

•• 2006 Mexico2006 Mexico

•• 2009 Istanbul2009 Istanbul

•• 2012 Marseilles2012 Marseilles


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Early World Water Forums do notEarly World Water Forums do not

frame water inframe water in “ “rightsrights” ” termsterms

•• 1997 Marrakech1997 Marrakech – – recommendedrecommended “ “action to recognize the basic humanaction to recognize the basic human

needs to have access to clean water & sanitationneeds to have access to clean water & sanitation” ”

•• 2000 The Hague2000 The Hague – – “ “access to safe and sufficient water & sanitation areaccess to safe and sufficient water & sanitation arebasic human needsbasic human needs” ”

•• 2003 Kyoto2003 Kyoto – – “ “we will enhance poor peoplewe will enhance poor people’ ’ s access to safes access to safe

drinking water and sanitationdrinking water and sanitation” ”


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2006 Mexico2006 Mexico

– – The Ministerial Declaration: improved andThe Ministerial Declaration: improved and

sustainable access to water and sanitationsustainable access to water and sanitation

servicesservices

– – The Complementary Declaration signed byThe Complementary Declaration signed byBolivia, Uruguay, Cuba & Venezuela declaresBolivia, Uruguay, Cuba & Venezuela declares

“ “[[a]ccessa]ccess to water with quality, quantity andto water with quality, quantity and

equity, constitutes a fundamental humanequity, constitutes a fundamental humanright.right.” ”


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Istanbul 2009Istanbul 2009 – – Ministerial Declaration:Ministerial Declaration: “ “We acknowledge theWe acknowledge the

discussions within the UN system regardingdiscussions within the UN system regarding

human rights and access to safe drinkinghuman rights and access to safe drinking

water and sanitation. We recognize thatwater and sanitation. We recognize thataccess to safe drinking water and sanitation isaccess to safe drinking water and sanitation is

a basic human need.a basic human need.” ”


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1997 UN Convention on the Law of1997 UN Convention on the Law of

the Nonthe Non--Navigational Uses ofNavigational Uses ofInternational WatercoursesInternational Watercourses•• Adopted by UN General Assembly but only 17 Adopted by UN General Assembly but only 17

countries have ratified itcountries have ratified it

•• Article 10, Article 10, ¶¶2 states that conflicts over use2 states that conflicts over useshould be resolved with reference to Articles 5 &should be resolved with reference to Articles 5 &7 and7 and “ “with special regard being given to thewith special regard being given to therequirement of vital human needs.requirement of vital human needs.” ” – – Articles 5 & 6 outline principle of equitable & Articles 5 & 6 outline principle of equitable &

reasonable utilizationreasonable utilization – – Article 7 deals with the obligation not to cause Article 7 deals with the obligation not to cause

significant harmsignificant harm


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Other UN DeclarationsOther UN Declarations

•• 2000 Millennium Declaration2000 Millennium Declaration – – Included goal of reducing by half theIncluded goal of reducing by half theproportion of people without sustainableproportion of people without sustainable

access to wateraccess to water•• 2003 declared as2003 declared as “ “International Year ofInternational Year of

FreshwaterFreshwater” ” •• 20052005--2015 declared as2015 declared as “ “InternationalInternational

Decade for Action,Decade for Action, ‘ ‘Water for LifeWater for Life’” ’”


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2002: Comment 152002: Comment 15

•• More than 35 years after ICESCR adoptedMore than 35 years after ICESCR adoptedin 1966, Committee on Economic, Social &in 1966, Committee on Economic, Social &Cultural Rights interprets ICESCR asCultural Rights interprets ICESCR as

encompassing aencompassing a “ “human right to waterhuman right to water” ” •• Not bindingNot binding per se per se because Committeebecause Committee

does not have authority to create newdoes not have authority to create newobligations. Rather, it extrapolated theobligations. Rather, it extrapolated the

right to water out of existing obligations.right to water out of existing obligations.


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Comment 15 (contComment 15 (cont’ ’ d)d)

•• Right to water implicit in 2 provisions ofRight to water implicit in 2 provisions of

ICESCR:ICESCR: – – Article 11 Article 11 “ “adequate standard of livingadequate standard of living” ”

– – Article 12 Article 12 “ “highest attainable standards ofhighest attainable standards ofmental and physical healthmental and physical health” ”

•• Comment 15 reaches back to UDHR Comment 15 reaches back to UDHR – – Rights to lifeRights to life

– – principle of human dignityprinciple of human dignity


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Emerging Norm: Right to WaterEmerging Norm: Right to Water

•• International Covenant on Economic,International Covenant on Economic,Social & Cultural RightsSocial & Cultural Rights – – http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cescr.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cescr.htm

•• Comment 15Comment 15

– – http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G034022d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdf 9.pdf

•• Other international instrumentsOther international instruments – – http://www.ielrc.org/water/doc_hr.htmhttp://www.ielrc.org/water/doc_hr.htm

– – http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rhttp://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/ightowater/en/

•• International Covenant on Economic,International Covenant on Economic,Social & Cultural RightsSocial & Cultural Rights – – http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cescr.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cescr.htm

•• Comment 15Comment 15

– – http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G034022d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdf 9.pdf

•• Other international instrumentsOther international instruments – – http://www.ielrc.org/water/doc_hr.htmhttp://www.ielrc.org/water/doc_hr.htm

– – http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rhttp://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/ightowater/en/

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cescr.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cescr.htmhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.ielrc.org/water/doc_hr.htmhttp://www.ielrc.org/water/doc_hr.htmhttp://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cescr.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cescr.htmhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.ielrc.org/water/doc_hr.htmhttp://www.ielrc.org/water/doc_hr.htmhttp://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/http://www.ielrc.org/water/doc_hr.htmhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cescr.htmhttp://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/rightowater/en/http://www.ielrc.org/water/doc_hr.htmhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/a5458d1d1bbd713fc1256cc400389e94/$FILE/G0340229.pdfhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cescr.htm


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Independent ExpertIndependent Expert

on right to water & sanitationon right to water & sanitation

– – http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/ihttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/i

expert/overview.htmexpert/overview.htm

– – http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/ihttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/i

expert/Ind_expert_DeAlbuquerque.htmexpert/Ind_expert_DeAlbuquerque.htm

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/overview.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/overview.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/overview.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/overview.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/Ind_expert_DeAlbuquerque.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/Ind_expert_DeAlbuquerque.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/Ind_expert_DeAlbuquerque.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/Ind_expert_DeAlbuquerque.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/Ind_expert_DeAlbuquerque.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/Ind_expert_DeAlbuquerque.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/overview.htmhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/overview.htm


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UN General Assembly ResolutionUN General Assembly Resolution

•• On July 28, 2010, UN General AssemblyOn July 28, 2010, UN General Assembly

passes a resolution recognizing a right topasses a resolution recognizing a right towater & sanitationwater & sanitation

•• http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010 /ga10967.doc.htm /ga10967.doc.htm

•• http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/newshttp://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/news /archives/UNDecWaterHR_EN.pdf /archives/UNDecWaterHR_EN.pdf

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/ga10967.doc.htmhttp://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/ga10967.doc.htmhttp://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/ga10967.doc.htmhttp://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/ga10967.doc.htmhttp://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/news/archives/UNDecWaterHR_EN.pdfhttp://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/news/archives/UNDecWaterHR_EN.pdfhttp://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/news/archives/UNDecWaterHR_EN.pdfhttp://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/news/archives/UNDecWaterHR_EN.pdfhttp://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/news/archives/UNDecWaterHR_EN.pdfhttp://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/news/archives/UNDecWaterHR_EN.pdfhttp://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/ga10967.doc.htmhttp://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/ga10967.doc.htm


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“ “Whiskey is for drinking; water isWhiskey is for drinking; water is

for fighting over.for fighting over.” ”-- Mark TwainMark Twain

water sanitation human right powerpoint_meeting1_20101007

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