A/HRC/15/60
Recalling resolution 8/7 of 18 June 2008, in which the Council established the
mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the issue of human
rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises,
1.
Welcomes the work of the independent expert on the issue of human rights
obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, including the progress in
collecting good practices for her compendium,21 and the comprehensive, transparent and
inclusive consultations conducted with relevant and interested actors from all regions for
her thematic reports, as well as the undertaking of country missions;
2.
Recalls General Assembly resolution 64/292 of 28 July 2010, in which the
Assembly recognized the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human
right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights;
3.
Affirms that the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation is derived
from the right to an adequate standard of living and inextricably related to the right to the
highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, as well as the right to life and
human dignity;
4.
Calls upon the independent expert to continue to pursue her work regarding
all aspects of her mandate, including to clarify further the content of human rights
obligations, including non-discrimination obligations in relation to safe drinking water and
sanitation, in coordination with States, United Nations bodies and agencies, and relevant
stakeholders;
5.
Acknowledges with appreciation the second annual report of the independent
expert22 and takes note with interest of her recommendations and clarifications with regard
to both the human rights obligations of States and the human rights responsibilities of nonState service providers in the delivery of water and sanitation services;
6.
Reaffirms that States have the primary responsibility to ensure the full
realization of all human rights, and that the delegation of the delivery of safe drinking water
and/or sanitation services to a third party does not exempt the State from its human rights
obligations;
7.
Recognizes that States, in accordance with their laws, regulations and public
policies, may opt to involve non-State actors in the provision of safe drinking water and
sanitation services and, regardless of the form of provision, should ensure transparency,
non-discrimination and accountability;
8.
Calls upon States:
(a)
To develop appropriate tools and mechanisms, which may encompass
legislation, comprehensive plans and strategies for the sector, including financial ones, to
achieve progressively the full realization of human rights obligations related to access to
safe drinking water and sanitation, including in currently unserved and underserved areas;
(b)
To ensure full transparency of the planning and implementation process in
the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation and the active, free and meaningful
participation of the concerned local communities and relevant stakeholders therein;
(c)
To pay particular attention to persons belonging to vulnerable and
marginalized groups, including by respecting the principles of non-discrimination and
gender equality;
21
22
GE.11-17043
A/HRC/15/31/Add.1.
A/HRC/15/31.
23
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