10 September 2018: Governments and humanitarian agencies should ensure the human rights of forcibly displaced persons in areas beyond refugee camps, and for protracted periods, according to a recent report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Special Rapporteur Léo Heller presented the report to a UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Switzerland, along with two country reports on India and Mongolia.
The report on access to safe drinking water and sanitation highlights the situation of forcibly displaced persons from a human rights perspective, based on the principles of participation, equality and non-discrimination, sustainability, progressive realization, and access to remedies.
SDG targets 6.1 and 6.2 for “safely managed” water and sanitation services have created a higher benchmark than the one set by the MDGs.
While commending efforts by the Government of Mongolia, donors, and international agencies, he notes that SDG targets 6.1 and 6.2 for “safely managed” water and sanitation services have created a higher benchmark than the one set by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and greater efforts will be needed.
His report notes the complexity of assessing the national situation, and the diverging views presented by national government, local government, and civil society at various locations.
He cautions that efforts to eliminate open defecation should avoid aggressive and abusive practices such as coercion, shaming, violence or punishment.
Member States affirmed the rights of all forcibly displaced persons to drinking water and sanitation, and urged all actors involved in providing such services to guarantee access, in accordance with SDG 6.
The Human Rights Council is holding its 39th session from 10-28 September 2018.
Other issues being discussed at the session include the right to privacy, the rights of persons with disabilities, the rights of minorities, and children’s rights.