HRC63 – Iceland EoV – A/HRC/63/L.34: The human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation (Amendment A/HRC/63.L.39)

Human Rights Council – 63rd Session
Explanation of Vote during adoption of draft resolution A/HRC/63/L.34
The human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
Amendment A/HRC/63/L.39
Statement by Iceland
6 October 2026

President,
Iceland opposes amendment L.39 which proposes to delete references to sexual and reproductive health and rights from the text of the draft resolution L.34 on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. Iceland cannot support an approach that removes a rights-based framework, where it is clearly relevant.

Draft resolution L.34 rightfully recognises the links between inadequate access to water and sanitation, menstrual health and hygiene, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

When we refer to sexual and reproductive health and rights in the context of the text of the resolution, we are not introducing an unrelated concept to the topic of water and sanitation. As an example, the ability to manage menstruation safely and with dignity depends on adequate access to water and sanitation. The same goes for the provision of maternal and reproductive health services.

President,

The human rights to water and sanitation and sexual and reproductive health rights are closely interrelated. Iceland is concerned by attempts to separate such well-established and factual connections. We believe it would remove an important recognition of how the human rights to water and sanitation is realised, particularly for women and girls.

Iceland will therefore vote against amendment L.39 and we urge all members of this Council to do the same.

I thank you.