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Title
UN HABITAT - Sanitation: A human
rights imperative
Abstract
In the UN International Year of Sanitation
2008, it is useful for us to add to our
understanding and knowledge of how
best to improve access to sanitation for all
by exploring the legal basis and possible
standards for the human right to sanitation, as
a tool to improve our common goal of
ensuring sanitation for all.
This publication plays an important role in
clarifying how implementation of the right to
sanitation encourages governments to ensure
that all people, regardless of background,
income or living conditions have access to
these crucial services.
While governments are increasingly including
the right to sanitation in their constitutions,
national laws and policies, there is still a long
way to go before this right is universally
recognised. However, the benefits are clear.
The right to sanitation demands
accountability from governments in
facilitating access to sanitation, particularly by
assisting individuals and communities in
constructing their own latrines, and removing
barriers to access such as lack of security of
tenure. Governments also must fulfil their
obligations to ensure that all those who lack
access, or who are often socially excluded
from decision-making, such as women, are
ensured their rights to information and
participation. It is critical that the sanitation
provided is what the users require, rather than
what the provider thinks is required. Further
to this, a human rights vision requires that
governments prioritise the needs of those
without access, or those who cannot provide
services for themselves, such as the sick, the
elderly and those living in informal
settlements.
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