National Human Rights Institutions and Water Governance: Compilation of Good Practices
The compilation of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) good practices on water governance seeks to strengthen the capacity of these institutions for the realisation of water governance related human rights. It intends to identify, gather and document important knowledge about the practices, along with the challenges, key factors in success and important lessons to be learnt in activities undertaken by NHRIs in relation to water governance.
This project lies at the heart of the National Human Rights Institutions Water Initiative. Launched by the Hungarian Ombudsman for Future Generations (Hungarian NHRI) in cooperation with WaterLex in 2013, it envisages a more prominent role of NHRIs in water governance for the realisation of human rights. By compiling and disseminating good practices among NHRIs, the current publication is intended to serve as a contribution towards creating a community of practice of NHRIs wishing to enhance their role in water governance for the realisation of human rights.
This publication is divided into three parts. Section 1 on Good Practices gathers water governance related concrete examples of practices adopted by various NHRIs worldwide.
This first section includes good practices grouped according to the following themes: i) promotion of water governance related human rights; ii) protection of water governance related human rights; iii) monitoring water governance related human rights; iv) advising the government and the parliament; and v) cooperation and coordination in water governance related NHRI activities. Section 2 on Summaries of NHRIs’ water governance activities provides an outline of several institutions’ work in relation to water governance. This section offers additional information on examples included in the first section and should be referred to for a more complete overview of NHRIs activities. Section 3 on Challenges and Obstacles sheds light on both existing and future challenges along with obstacles encountered by participating NHRIs.
This publication covers 21 NHRIs and also benefited from the assistance of a regional network (West Africa). WaterLex is thankful to all participating institutions who contributed by sharing their practices. The good practices compilation is disseminated to NHRIs worldwide to facilitate exchange of information among peers on water governance for the realisation of human rights.
