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If water is thought of strictly as a commodity, principles of efficiency would apply to its distribution, and price would be a reasonable way to influence consumption. Many believe that if the price of water reflected its true value, people would be motivated to use it more efficiently. In developed countries whose citizens use considerably more water than is sustainable, and who can afford to pay for water, these principles may indeed be one factor in creating a sustainable water policy. But in a broader sense, water is not a commodity; it is a human right.
In this section...
International Human Rights Standards The following international human rights standards reiterate that access to clean water is a fundamental necessity for a healthy life, and as such is a human right: - The Constitution of the World Health Organization stating that “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being.” (WHO, 1946)
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights under which people are said to enjoy a right to a “standard of living adequate for their health and well-being.” (UN, 1948)
- The International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, primarily Article 12.1 whereby all people have a “right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health,” and the 2000 General Comment on the Covenant specifically including the “underlying determinants of health, central among these safe water and adequate sanitation.” (UN, 1948, 2000)
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child, primarily Article 24 affirming children’s right to enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and the responsibility of states to provide the basics contributing to this standard, including clean water. (UNHCR, 1989)
- The UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights declaration that “the right to water clearly falls within the category of guarantees essential for securing an adequate standard of living, particularly since it is one of the most fundamental conditions for survival.” (UN, 2002)
Why a Human Rights-Based Approach to WaterWhy does defining water as a human right make a difference? The World Health Organization makes the following argument: “Ensuring that access to sufficient safe water is a human right constitutes an important step toward making it a reality for everyone. It means that:
- Fresh water is a legal entitlement, rather than a commodity or service provided on a charitable basis;
- Achieving basic and improved levels of access should be accelerated;
- The “least served” are better targeted and therefore inequalities decreased;
- Communities and vulnerable groups will be empowered to take part in decision-making processes;
- The means and mechanisms available in the United Nations human rights system will be used to monitor the progress of State Parties in realizing the right to water and to hold governments accountable.”
Next: Water, Health, and Nutrition
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