Progressive realization of the human rights to water and sanitation

In the context of the human rights to water and sanitation, the obligation of progressive realization reflects the need of States to move beyond the minimum levels of water and sanitation service provision, specified as necessary immediately in accordance with States' minimum core obligations. In realizing the rights to water and sanitation, States are also required to utilize the maximum of their available resources.

In this regard, several questions arise:

• How can the concepts of 'progressive realization', 'maximum available resources' and 'minimum core obligations' be translated in the context of the human rights to water and sanitation?
• What elements and specificities of the human rights to water and sanitation should be considered in the application of the three concepts?
• To which extent do human rights monitoring bodies have been assessing the implementation of States' obligations adequately applying the three concepts mentioned above? How can those bodies further address those concepts?
• How can compliance with the obligation of progressive realization be assessed? How to translate the standard of reasonableness (and related standards such as adequacy, appropriateness, and proportionality) in the water and sanitation sector?

The Special Rapporteur on the human rights to water and sanitation, Léo Heller, will explore these questions in his report to the 45^th session of the Human Rights Council in September 2020 on the progressive realization of the human rights to water and sanitation.

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