A/HRC/42/47/Add.2
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
8 July 2019
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Forty-second session
9–27 September 2019
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Visit to Malaysia
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking
water and sanitation*
Summary
At the invitation of the Government, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to
safe drinking water and sanitation, Léo Heller, undertook an official visit to Malaysia from
14 to 27 November 2018.
In the present report, the Special Rapporteur commends Malaysia for achieving
near-universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene. However, when the situation is
observed from a human rights perspective, it is of great concern that some groups still do
not enjoy their human rights to water and sanitation. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes
that a human rights-based approach to resolving such issues should prioritize and focus on
those who are socially and economically marginalized, such as: (a) the Orang Asli
indigenous peoples; (b) those living in rural areas; (c) those affected by megaprojects; (d)
those living in informal settlements; (e) undocumented children in alternative educational
facilities; (f) refugees and asylum seekers; (g) prisoners and detainees; and (h) transgender
and gender non-conforming persons. To address disparities in access to water and
sanitation, the Special Rapporteur recommends that the Government of Malaysia
incorporate human rights into its continued efforts to improve water and sanitation services
for all and to “leave no one behind”.
* The summary of the report is being circulated in all official languages. The report itself, which is
annexed to the summary, is being circulated in the language of submission only.
GE.19-11512(E)
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents