The Human Right to Water and Sanitation

Ensuring access to water and sanitation as human rights constitute an important step towards making it a reality for everyone. It means that: • Access to safe water and basic sanitation is a legal entitlement, rather than a commodity or service provided on a charitable basis; • Achieving basic and improved levels of access should be accelerated; • The “least served” are better targeted and therefore inequalities decreased; • Communities and vulnerable groups will be empowered to take part in decision-making processes; • The means and mechanisms available in the United Nations human rights system will be used to monitor the progress of nations in realizing the right to water and sanitation to hold governments accountable. A/RES/64/292 Votes In Favour: 122 Against: 0 Abstentions: 41 Absent: 29