The ICJ welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to water and sanitation, on the linkages between violations of human rights and the challenge of stigma, in relation to water, sanitation and hygiene. From 10 to 28 September 2012, the Human Rights Council – the UN’s political body charged with the promotion and protection of human rights – holds its 21st regular session. During this session, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to water and sanitation, Ms Catarina de Albuquerque, presented her latest thematic report, focussing on the linkages between violations of human rights and the challenge of stigma, especially as they relate to water, sanitation and hygiene.
Welcoming the report, the ICJ made a written statement emphasising the need to take a holistic approach to combating discrimination and inequality in the enjoyment of human rights and calls on the Human Rights Council and all States to implement the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur.
The interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur took place on 12 and 13 September. Although the ICJ prepared an oral statement for that dialogue, and shared this with the Special Rapporteur, the ICJ was unable to secure a place on the speakers’ list and was thus unable to deliver the oral statement before the Council.
ICJ-HRC21-WaterAndSanitation-WrittenStatement-2012 (download written statement, in PDF)
ICJ-HRC21-WaterAndSanitation-OralStatement-2012 (download oral statement, in PDF)
Photo by UNICEF.