FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2008
12:35 PM
CONTACT: Food & Water Watch
Jen Mueller or Erin Greenfield
(202) 683-2457
WASHINGTON, DC - March 27 - “Once again, the UN
Human Rights Council missed a critical opportunity to recognize the human right
to water. Instead, as a result of lobbying by the United States and Canada, it
passed a watered–down resolution protecting a corporation’s right to sell water.
“As many as 1.4 billion people suffer daily without access to adequate water,
while 2.5 billion lack access to improved sanitation. According to the World
Health Organization, increasing pollution levels and a global water consumption
rate that doubles every 20 years will cause 48 nations to face severe water
shortages by 2025.
“Government policies can ensure that all individuals have equitable access to
water to meet basic human needs. Some countries, such as Uruguay, and South
Africa, have revised their national constitutions to formally recognize the
right to water. In Comment 15 to the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights, the UN sets out detailed standards on what governments must
do to respect and ensure the right to water for all. Comment 15 amounts to a
good start, and Food & Water Watch is eager to work within the process
established by the UN Human Rights Council for building upon this positive first
step.
“However, the UNHRC balked at an important opportunity this week when it
stripped from a resolution all references to a ‘right to water’ at the urging of
the U.S. and Canadian governments. This is the third attempt in recent years by
UN member nations to recognize the right to water. Each time, U.S. and Canadian
governments have opposed the effort.
“Our governments oppose a right to water resolution because it would not comport
with the North American Free Trade Agreement, which defines water as a good and
an investment. But water is not a commodity; it is a public trust. By buckling
to pressure by the United States and Canada, the UN this week violated that
trust.”
For more background, please visit
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/world-water/right
http://www.commondreams.org/news2008/0327-05.htm