Right To Water - Political Recognition of The Right To Water

Political Recognition of The Right To Water

This legal recognition must be distinguished from the international process promoting the recognition and the further definition of the right to water under international law. The main reason is that no legal obligation derives from a political acknowledgement (E.g. United Nations General assembly resolutions). However, it is important not to underestimate the political pressure which civil society might exercise towards governments while reminding them of their commitments (cf. the work of civil society in the field of Millenium Development Goals - MDGs which are only political commitments) as well as the fact that political acknowledgements might be used before courts so as to assess customary international law.

An initial step in 2006 was taken by the former United Nations Sub-commission on Human Rights which issued Guidelines.

These guidelines led the United Nations Human Rights Council to mandate in 2008, Ms Catarina de Albuquerque, as an Independent expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Eventually, on 28 July 2010, following an intense negotiation, 122 countries formally acknowledged the "right to water" in the General Assembly (GA) resolution (A/64/292, based on draft resolution A/64/L.63/Rev.1). In September, 2010, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution recognizing that the human right to water and sanitation are a part of the right to an adequate standard of living.