PHM-Exch> Landmark resolutions on water and sanitation, and freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

[Claudio Schuftan]

--------From: PHM-SA Coordinator <coordinator at phmsouthafrica.org>




*Updates from the UN Human Rights Council*


The UN Human Rights Council has adopted landmark resolutions on water and
sanitation, and on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.

*Rights to water and sanitation as legally binding*

The UN Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution (A/HRC/15/L.41) that
affirms that the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation is
derived from the right to an adequate standard of living. While experts
working with the UN human rights system have long acknowledged this, it was
the first time that the Human Rights Council has declared itself on the
issue. The resolution is seen as ‘real progress towards making these Rights
a reality for the people who need them’.

The resolution calls on states to, among other things, develop appropriate
tools and mechanisms, to realize these rights, ensure full transparency of
planning and implementation process in their provision, pay particular
attention to persons belonging to vulnerable and marginalized groups, and
ensure effective remedies for human rights violations

For further reading on this historic resolution, see the following websites:

http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/G10/163/09/PDF/G1016309.pdf?OpenElement

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=10403&LangID=E

http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/IOR40/018/2010/en/9b411b3d-35e0-4185-b900-4cdea1cbb6ae/ior400182010en.pdf


*Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Assembly and Association*

The UN Human Rights Council has adopted by consensus a resolution
(A/HRC/15/L.23) to establish a new Special Procedures mandate – the Special
Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.
The mandate of this special rapporteur includes reporting on violations of
these rights and on threats, harassment and reprisals against those
exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

For further reading on this resolution, see the following websites:

http://www.ishr.ch/council/919-council-adopts-landmark-resolutions-on-freedom-of-assembly-water-and-sanitation-and-indigenous-peop

http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/09/148486.htm

http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/G10/164/82/PDF/G1016482.pdf?OpenElement


regards

Lilian Chenwi (SERP)
Community Law Centre
University of the Western Cape


   [image: This project is funded by the European Union.]



 People's Health Movement  SA  - Right to Health Campaign

www.phmsouthafrica.org
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