Feb 21, 2012: An independent United Nations human rights expert called on Uruguayan authorities to implement measures to provide access to health and sanitation to its poorest and most marginalized communities.“Uruguay has achieved significant progress in terms of access to water and sanitation, but it is now urgent to prioritize access for vulnerable and marginalized individuals,” said Special Rapporteur on the right to water and sanitation Catarina de Albuquerque, who recently finished a visit to Uruguay.

Washington, Feb 14, 2012: WaterAid in America expresses both support and concern for President Obama's fiscal year 2013 budget request released yesterday, which maintains support for some key foreign aid accounts. However, the request also reduces allocations to areas that are critical for the success of water, sanitation and hygiene programs.
"We commend the White House for preserving its focus on the essential programs undertaken by USAID and the Department of State, which, all told, require less than 1% of the total federal budget.

Geneva, Feb 9, 2012: United Nations Special Rapporteur Catarina de Albuquerque will visit Uruguay from 13 to 17 February 2012, in what will be the first official mission to the country by an independent expert charged by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and report on the realisation of the human right to water and sanitation.

An appointee to the United Nations Human Rights Council has issued a four-page memo warning Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson that local officials could be violating the human rights of the homeless people living within the city.

CALL FOR PAPERS

National Workshop: REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO SANITATION IN INDIA – CHALLENGES AND WAY FORWARD

New Delhi, 27-28 July 2012

Important Dates

The scale of the sanitation crisis is profound. The UN estimates that 2.5 billion people, 40 per cent of the world's population, lack access to adequate sanitation. The global toll in human development terms is shocking: pervasive associated disease and death, chronic and inescapable poverty and the paths of opportunity through education and productive labour blocked.
A failure by governments to respond comprehensively to the sanitation crisis is undermining development efforts.

Dec 19, 2011: On the occasion of Human Rights Day EPSU calls for attention to the implementation of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation.

In 2010 this right was recognised in the United Nations General Assembly. Although many European countries abstained in the final vote, the right is being recognised in most of the EU. The Human Right to Water and Sanitation entitles everyone to accessible, affordable and sufficient water and sanitation that meets the international standards for quality.

21st Nov 2011:  A United Nations human rights expert warned today that millions of Senegalese remain “condemned to very unhealthy living conditions” until the West African country’s Government significantly increases spending on ensuring major improvements to water and sanitation facilities.
“The Senegalese Government has repeatedly stated that sanitation for all is a national priority.

A new resolution passed by the UN Human Rights Council at its 18th session calls on states to ensure enough financing for sustainable delivery of water and sanitation services. Passed by consensus on 28 September 2011, resolution A/HRC/RES/18/1 has taken last year’s landmark decision to recognise the right to water and sanitation as legally binding in international law, a step further.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque, released her mission reports on the United States of America, Japan and Slovenia.

“As human rights, all people, without discrimination, must have access to safe drinking water and sanitation, which is affordable, acceptable, available and safe,” Ms. de Albuquerque said. “States must continually take steps to ensure that access to these fundamental rights is guaranteed.”