Special Rapporteur to visit India soon on water, sanitation issues

United Nations, Oct 21: The Special Rapporteur on human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, Léo Heller, will undertake an official visit to India from 30 October to 10 November 2017. As per the information available here, the civil society, human rights activists and other interested parties have been encouraged to submit general inputs and specific proposals with regard to: issues of concern related to the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, including but not limited to availability of water and sanitation (eg, quantity of water available for each person); accessibility water and sanitation (eg, facilities should be within safe physical reach, facilities should be accessible to everyone, access to services in rural area vs urban area, piped water, sewerage network); quality water and sanitation (eg, drinking water should be safe, free from micro-organism, chemical substance, and radiological hazards, how quality is monitored); and affordability of water and sanitation (eg, water tariffs, social tariffs for services, disconnections of services for inability to pay). information on water and sanitation (e.g., information regarding quality of water); and judicial and non-judicial remedies available in case of violation of human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation Relevant organisations and individuals are expected to meet in the context of the Special Rapporteur's visit to India. Mr Léo Heller is expected to visit Kolkata during first week of November 2017. There, several organisations and individuals are expected to submit an approach paper to him regarding the status of availability of safe drinking water and situation of sanitation facility in West Bengal. UNI