Hearing Request: Fulfilling the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation in the United States

Dear Secretary Álvarez Icaza:

1. In conformity with Article 66 of the Rules of Procedure of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (the Commission), the undersigned organizations respectfully request a hearing during the 157th period of sessions of the Commission, to promote a constructive dialogue on emerging better practices to remedy and prevent violations of the human rights to water and sanitation in the United States. The US Human Rights Network (USHRN) and the International Human Rights Clinic at Santa Clara University School of Law submit this request on behalf of sixteen community based and advocacy organizations, two law school clinics and programs, as well as law firms, and environmental science professionals.

2. This request provides an analysis of the need for the proposed hearing, background information about the requesting organizations and our expertise in this area, brief examples of violations of the human rights to water and sanitation in the U.S., a discussion of emerging better practices, and a brief overview.

Read the entire Hearing Request- Towards Best Practices for Fulfilling the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation in the United States