Non-State Actors' Role In Water And Sanitation Regulation: A Human Rights Perspective.pdf

# Questionnaire for Non-State Actors on Water and Sanitation Sector Regulation

## Background
The UN Special Rapporteur seeks responses from non-state actors (NSAs) to better understand the intersection of regulatory frameworks and human rights to water and sanitation. The goal is to inform the development of standards ensuring these fundamental rights are respected and realized.

## Key Questions:

1. Role and Responsibilities: Describe your organization's involvement in providing or regulating access to water and sanitation services, highlighting any specific mandates or areas of focus.

2. Regulatory Framework Impact: Explain how regulatory mechanisms (legislation, institutions, policies) can facilitate the human rights to water and sanitation. Provide real-world examples demonstrating their positive influence.

3. Reflecting Human Rights in Regulation: Assess whether existing national regulatory frameworks incorporate the principles and content of the human rights to water and sanitation. Share insights on gaps or strengths observed in your country's framework, drawing comparisons with other nations if applicable.

4. Lack of Regulation Consequences: Offer instances where inadequate or absent regulation in the water sector has led to human rights violations, such as limited access to clean water or unsanitary conditions.

5. Incorporating Human Rights into Regulation: Identify challenges faced when integrating human rights standards into regulatory frameworks. Discuss potential solutions and best practices for overcoming these obstacles.

6. Successful Regulatory Practices: Share concrete examples of how a human rights-compliant regulatory framework has contributed to the progressive realization of water and sanitation rights, demonstrating tangible improvements in service delivery or community well-being.

7. NSA Responsibility and Regulation: Discuss how regulatory frameworks should reflect the responsibility of non-state actors to respect and ensure human rights in their operations. Provide scenarios illustrating due diligence practices.

8. Regulatory Mechanisms for Compliance: Propose a model regulatory mechanism that promotes adherence to human rights standards by service providers, explaining its advantages. Compare this with independent vs. autonomous regulatory bodies, highlighting the pros and cons of each.

9. Incorporating Vulnerable Voices: Describe mechanisms ensuring the participation and consideration of vulnerable persons and communities in water and sanitation regulation. Share both positive examples of inclusive practices and negative instances where their voices were overlooked.

10. Transparency and Corruption Mitigation: Suggest measures within regulatory frameworks to enhance transparency and combat corruption in the sector. Consider successful strategies employed elsewhere and their potential impact on service quality and accessibility.

## Submission Guidelines:
Responses are accepted via email ([email protected]) or mail to the Special Rapporteur's office at UNOG-OHCHR, Geneva, by April 7, 2017. Due to translation limitations, responses should be in English, French, or Spanish. All submissions will be made publicly available on the Special Rapporteur's website unless confidentiality is requested.