Senegal: UN Special Rapporteur to Address Stakeholders on Water and Sanitation Progress

By Staff Writer

GENEVA— The UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque, will visit Senegal from 14 to 22 November 2011 to hold a dialogue with the Government and other concerned stakeholders about the progress made, and difficulties encountered, in promoting the full realization of the rights to safe drinking water and sanitation.

“This mission will particularly consider the situation of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups with a special emphasis on the human rights principles of equality, non-discrimination, participation and accountability,” said Catarina de Albuquerque in a Press Statement. “It is the human right of all people, without discrimination, to have access to safe drinking water and sanitation, which is affordable, acceptable, available and safe.”

During her seven-day mission, the human rights expert will meet with a wide array of Government ministries with competencies in the areas of water and sanitation, as well as with representatives from civil society organizations, UN entities and the donor community. Ms. de Albuquerque will visit informal settlements in the capital, Dakar, as well as some of the areas where serious disparities with regard to access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation exist. Her findings and recommendations will be presented in a report to the Human Rights Council in 2012.