The Human Right to Sanitation
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THE HUMAN RIGHT TO SANITATION
INGA T. WINKLER*
ABSTRACT
Sanitation is a very personal and private matter, inextricably
linked to human dignity. At the same time, sanitation has an im-
portant public health dimension. In this regard, sanitation is not
only about an individual's right to have access to a toilet or latrine.
Inadequate sanitation leads to contamination of the environment,
of public spaces, and of water bodies through feces and
wastewater. Therefore, contamination has a negative impact on
public health and the life and wellbeing of everyone in the com-
munity, affecting their human rights to health, life, food, and a
* Inga T. Winkler is a lecturer at the Institute for the Study of Human Rights
at Columbia University. This article draws on her experience as Legal Advisor to
the first United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to Water and
Sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque, and her work on the report on human rights
obligations related to sanitation to the United Nations Human Rights Council is-
sued by the Special Rapporteur in 2009. Independent Expert on the Issue of Hu-
man Rights Obligations Related to Access to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation,
Catarina de Albuquerque, U.N. Doc. A/HRC/12/24 (July 1, 2009) [hereinafter
HRC, Report on Sanitation, A/HRC/12/24]. The article also draws on the au-
thor's book on the human right to water. Inga T. Winkler, The Human Right To
Water: Significance, Legal Status and Implications For Water Allocation (2012).
The article reflects the author's personal opinions and not necessarily those of the
Special Rapporteur. The author gratefully acknowledges useful feedback and
comments on an earlier version of this article by Amanda Klasing, HA LC Phan,
Virginia Roaf, Anna Zimmer, as well as Nikki Reisch and other participants at the
Research Forum convened by the Center for Human Rights & Global Justice at
NYU Law School on November 2, 2015 as well as helpful research assistance by
Johanna Gusman, Angelika Paul, Lisa Anouk Mtiller-Dormann, Aishani Gupta
and Danial Abbasi.
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The Human Right to Sanitation
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