Sustainability and non-retrogression in the realisation of the rights to water and sanitation

Pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution 16/2 of 2011 and 21/2 of 2012, the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque, was mandated to work on identifying challenges and obstacles to the full realization of the rights, as well as protection gaps, good practices and enabling factors. She was also asked to monitor the way in which the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation is being realized throughout the world.

In 2013, the Special Rapporteur will prepare a report on the issues of sustainability and non-retrogression in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation. The report will be presented to the Human Rights Council in September 2013.

The Special Rapporteur invited States, intergovernmental organizations, national and international non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions, United Nations agencies and entities, academia and all other interested stakeholders to contribute their views and perspectives in writing. For this purpose, a "Questionnaire on sustainability and non-retrogression" was available in English, Spanish and French to facilitate their inputs.

Public consultation

In order to benefit from diverse views and perspectives, the Special Rapporteur organized a public consultation on this issue on March 2013. This was an opportunity for States and other stakeholders to contribute their views.

See here the Submissions received.