Agriculture, food and water - FAO.org
Agriculture, food and water - FAO.org
Agriculture, food and water - FAO.org
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54 ANNEX 1 The right to adequate <strong>food</strong> <strong>and</strong> the right to <strong>water</strong><br />
including sustainable rain harvesting <strong>and</strong> irrigation technology. As the Covenant also provides<br />
that “a people may not be deprived of its own means of subsistence” (Art. 1 (2)) it must also<br />
be ensured that there is adequate access to <strong>water</strong> for subsistence farming <strong>and</strong> for securing the<br />
livelihoods of indigenous peoples.<br />
The right to <strong>water</strong><br />
In 2002 the Committee adopted General Comment 15 on the right to <strong>water</strong> (Art. 11 <strong>and</strong> 12 of<br />
the Covenant). General Comment 15 was the first document that fleshed out in detail the right’s<br />
content <strong>and</strong> clearly stated that the right to <strong>water</strong> emanated from <strong>and</strong> was indispensable for an<br />
adequate st<strong>and</strong>ard of living as it is one of the most fundamental conditions for survival. The right<br />
to <strong>water</strong> entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible <strong>and</strong> affordable <strong>water</strong><br />
for personal <strong>and</strong> domestic use. Availability implies that the <strong>water</strong> supply for each person must be<br />
sufficient <strong>and</strong> continuous for drinking, personal sanitation, washing of clothes, <strong>food</strong> preparation,<br />
personal <strong>and</strong> household hygiene. It must be free from micro-<strong>org</strong>anisms, chemical substances <strong>and</strong><br />
radiological hazards that constitute a threat to a person’s health. Water <strong>and</strong> <strong>water</strong> facilities <strong>and</strong><br />
services have to be physically <strong>and</strong> economically accessible to everyone without discrimination.<br />
Water is also necessary to realize a number of other rights. Water use to ensure environmental<br />
hygiene is covered by the right to health. Water necessary for the enjoyment of certain cultural<br />
practices is protected by the right to take part in cultural life. The right to gain a living by work<br />
encompasses <strong>water</strong> for securing livelihoods. Finally, as mentioned above, <strong>water</strong> to produce <strong>food</strong><br />
is necessary to realize the right to adequate <strong>food</strong>. In case of competing uses priority in allocation<br />
must be given to the right to <strong>water</strong> for personal <strong>and</strong> domestic use as well as to the prevention of<br />
starvation <strong>and</strong> disease.<br />
States’ obligations<br />
The right to adequate <strong>food</strong> <strong>and</strong> the right to <strong>water</strong> pose on States obligations of progressive<br />
realization as well as immediate obligations. The principle obligation of States with respect<br />
to the right to adequate <strong>food</strong> <strong>and</strong> the right to <strong>water</strong> is the obligation to take steps to achieve<br />
progressively the full realization of both rights. States must move as expeditiously <strong>and</strong> effectively<br />
as possible within the limits of the maximum of their available resources towards this goal. While<br />
full realization might take time, steps must be taken immediately. Also of immediate effect is the<br />
obligation to ensure that the rights can be exercised on a non-discriminatory basis.<br />
States must respect, protect <strong>and</strong> fulfil the right to adequate <strong>food</strong> <strong>and</strong> the right to <strong>water</strong>. The obligation<br />
to respect requires that states refrain from interfering directly or indirectly with the enjoyment of