Is the list of human rights fixed for all time?
Although the international human rights community is trying to focus attention on the implementation and enforcement of existing standards, new texts are constantly being developed to address matters of current concern. In addition, a number of UN Conferences have developed international programmes of action addressed at overcoming inequities so that all people might live in accordance with their rights and dignity. Whilst not having the force of international law, these political commitments should be read together with the international human rights legal instruments. In such a manner, the scope and understanding of human rights is developing. For example, a series of international conferences have helped to clarify the right to water and sanitation. In this way, the subject of human rights is both concrete – confirmed in international law – and dynamic – able to develop in accordance with recognition of the need.
