International
Standards - Water
Human rights treaties with explicit reference to safe drinking
water and sanitation
Instruments
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Reference
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Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women (CEDAW)
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Article 14 (2)
States parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination
against women in rural areas in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of
men and women, that they participate in and benefit from rural development
and, in particular shall ensure to women the right:
…
(h) To enjoy adequate living conditions, particularly in relation to
housing, sanitation, electricity and water supply, transport and
communications.
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
considered that this article obliges States parties to take all appropriate
measures to ensure adequate living conditions in relation to water and
sanitation, which are critical for the prevention of diseases and the
promotion of good health care. ( Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women, general recommendation No. 24 (1999) on
article 12 of the Convention (women and health), para. 28)
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Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
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Article 24
1. States parties recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of
the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the
treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health …
2. States parties shall pursue full implementation of this right and, in
particular, shall take appropriate measures:
(c) To combat disease and malnutrition, including within the framework
of primary health care, through, inter alia, (…) the provision of adequate
nutritious foods and clean drinking water (…)
The United Nation Committee on the Rights of the Child underlined that
under article 24 States have a responsibility to ensure access to clean
drinking water and that such access is particularly essential for young
children’s health. ( Committee on the Rights of the Child, general comment
No. 7 (2006) on implementing child rights in early childhood, para. 27)
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Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
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Article 28 - Adequate standard of living and social protection
2. States parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to
social protection and to
the enjoyment of that right without discrimination on the basis of
disability, and shall take
appropriate steps to safeguard and promote the realization of this
right, including measures:
(a) To ensure equal access by persons with disabilities to clean water
services, and to
ensure access to appropriate and affordable services, devices and other
assistance for
disability-related needs.
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ILO Convention No. 161 of 1985 on Occupational Health Services
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Article 5
Without prejudice to the responsibility of each employer for the health
and safety of the
workers in his employment, … occupational health services shall have
such of the following
functions …:
(b) Surveillance of the factors in the working environment and working
practice which
may affect workers’ health, including sanitary installations, …
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African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
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Article 14
1. Every child shall have the right to enjoy the best attainable
standard of physical, mental and spiritual health.
2. States parties to the present Charter shall undertake to pursue the
full implementation of this right and in particular shall take measures: …
(c) To ensure the provision of adequate nutrition and safe drinking
water.
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Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the
Rights of Women in Africa
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Article 15: Right to Food Security
States parties shall ensure that women have the right to nutritious and
adequate food. In this regard, they shall take appropriate measures to:
(a) Provide women with access to clean drinking water, …
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Human rights guidelines and principles with explicit reference to
safe drinking water and sanitation (Ref. to Sub-Commission
Guidelines for the realization of the Right to Drinking Water and
Sanitation)
Instruments
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Reference
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Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners
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15. Prisoners shall be required to keep their persons clean, and to this
end they shall be provided with water and with such toilet articles as are
necessary for health and cleanliness.
20. (2) Drinking water shall be available to every prisoner whenever he
needs it.
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United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their
Liberty
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Article 34
Sanitary installations should be so located and of a sufficient standard
to enable every juvenile to comply, as required, with their physical needs
in privacy and in a clean and decent manner.
Article 37
Every detention facility shall ensure that every juvenile receives food
that is suitably prepared … Clean drinking water should be available to
every juvenile at any time.
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United Nations Principles for Older Persons
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Independence
1. Older persons should have access to adequate food, water, shelter,
clothing and health care through the provision of income, family and
community support and self-help.
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Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement
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Principle 18
1. All internally displaced persons have the right to an adequate
standard of living.
2. At the minimum, regardless of the circumstances, and without
discrimination, competent authorities shall provide internally displaced
persons with and ensure safe access to:
(a) Essential food and potable water;…
(d) Essential medical services and sanitation.
3. Special efforts should be made to ensure the full participation of
women in the planning and distribution of these basic supplies.
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ILO Recommendation No. 115 of 1961 on Workers’ Housing
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Suggestions concerning methods of application …
7. The housing standards referred to in paragraph 19 of the General
Principles should relate in particular to …
(b) The supply of safe water in the workers’ dwelling in such ample
quantities as to provide for all personal and household uses;
(c) Adequate sewage and garbage disposal systems; …
8. Where housing and accommodation for single workers or workers
separated from their families is collective, the competent authorities
should establish housing standards providing, as a minimum, for: …
(c) Adequate supply of safe water;
(d) Adequate drainage and sanitary conveniences; …
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Voluntary Guidelines to support the progressive realization of the right
to adequate food in the context of national security (FAO)
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3.6 In their poverty reduction strategies, States should also give
priority to providing basic services for the poorest, and investing in
human resources by ensuring access to … clean drinking water, adequate
sanitation …
8.1 States should facilitate sustainable, non-discriminatory and secure
access and utilization of resources consistent with their national law and
with international law and protect the assets that are important for
people’s livelihoods. States should respect and protect the rights of individuals
with respect to resources such as land, water, …
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