The Human Rights to Water and Sanitation

Léo Heller is Senior Researcher in the René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil. He has extensive experience in formulating policies, teaching and researching in human rights, public policies, and environmental health, related to water and sanitation. He was the second Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, appointed by the Human Rights Council of the UN.

'This book provides solid grounding; systematically debunks some frequent casual criticisms; teases apart critical stakeholders and functions; and constructively tackles complex issues like affordability, regulation; discrimination and disadvantage, displaced populations and public places. It will be useful for anyone seeking to learn about linking human rights with real-world progress in water and sanitation.' Jamie Bartram, Professor University of Leeds, UK and Professor Emeritus, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Part I. The human rights to water and sanitation: background; 1. Emergence and consolidation of legal obligations; 2. The meaning of the human rights to water and sanitation; 3. Controversies around the human rights to water and sanitation; Part II. Drivers for the realization and violation of the HRtWS; 4. Neoliberalism and privatization; 5. Business activities with an emphasis on megaprojects; 6. Development cooperation in water and sanitation; Part III. Policies; 7. Regulation of water and sanitation services; 8. Accountability in the water and sanitation sector; 9. Affordability in the access to services; 10. Progressive realization of the human rights to water and sanitation; Part IV. People; 11. The gender dimension; 12. Forcibly displaced persons; 13. Spheres of life beyond the household with an emphasis on public spaces.