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International Policy and Conferences

Introduction to Human Rights

Human Rights Approach
to Development

Law on the
Right to Water

General Comment
No.15

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What is a General Comment?
Summary of General Comment No. 15
Part I: Introduction
Part II: Normative content of the Right to Water
Part III: States Parties’ obligations
Part IV: Violations
Part V: Implementation at the national level
Part VI: Obligations of actors other than states
Status of the General Comment
No15
Part VI: Obligations of actors other than states

The final part of General Comment 15 stresses the important role that actors other than states can play in the protection, realisation and promotion of the right to water.

The General Comment acknowledges the potential impact, either positive or negative, that the policies and actions of actors such as UN agencies, international organisations concerned with trade or finance (including the World Trade Organisation and the International Monetary Fund), and international non-governmental or humanitarian organisations (including the International Committee of the Red Cross), can have upon the right to water of individuals and communities.

For this reason, the General Comment outlines the obligations of these non-state actors. These include obligations to:

  • Co-operate effectively with States Parties in relation to the implementation of the right to water
  • Incorporate human rights law and principles into both policy and action; for example, the right to water should be taken into account in any lending policies, structural adjustment programmes or development projects
  • Give priority to the most vulnerable or marginalized groups of the population in the provision of aid and the distribution and management of water and water facilities
When examining the reports of States Parties and their ability to meet the obligation to realize the right to water, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will consider the effects of the assistance provided by all other actors.

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