UN official to check human rights to water and sanitation

GENEVA / BANGKOK - United Nations Special Rapporteur Catarina de Albuquerque will visit Thailand from February 1 to 8 to assess the country's developments and remaining challenges toward the realisation of the human rights to water and sanitation.

"I will focus on the specific situation of people living in rural areas and informal settlements, as well as of those belonging to disadvantaged groups including minorities and migrant workers. I will also explore some water contamination cases," said Ms. de Albuquerque, announcing her first official visit to Thailand.

The Special Rapporteur, who is visiting the country at the invitation of the Thai authorities, will meet with representatives from the Government, as well as from international organizations, civil society and communities in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

At the end of her eight-day visit, de Albuquerque will share with the media the preliminary findings of her mission at a press conference on February 8 at the premises of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

Based on the information obtained during the mission, the Special Rapporteur will present a comprehensive report to a forthcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council, which will include her final findings and recommendations to the Government of Thailand.

ENDS