The UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation (Special Rapporteur HRWS)

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The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation was initially established by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2008 as the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation. The Human Rights Council e changed its title to Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation in 2011. The mandate was most recently renewed in Human Rights Council resolution 51/19.
The Special Rapporteur carries out thematic research, undertakes country missions, collects good practices, and works with development practitioners on the implementation of the rights to water and sanitation.

Estimated budget for water and sanitation activities (USD):
0-1 million

Contributing Actions to the United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation

Promote democratic water governance

In 2025 and 2026, the Special Rapporteur will engage with member states, human rights defenders, and rights holders to promote a human rights-based approach to...

Primary Entry Point
1: Lead and inspire collective action

SR Water contribute to the realization of the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation through country visits.

As part of the mandated activities of mandate holders, the SR undertakes two country visits per year.

Primary Entry Point
2: Engage better for countries