On 10 December 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Were included in the same, the rights of all persons to equality before justice, basic education, employment, housing, clothing and social security. But nothing was said at that time on the right to water, perhaps because at that time thought that water could become a marketable product.
Given the suggestion by President of Bolivia Evo Morales, the United Nations General Assembly, said a few hours ago that drinking water and sanitation are basic human rights to the full enjoyment of life. Were 124 States that voted in favor, 0 against and 41 abstentions
Among the countries that abstained from voting, are USA, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom.
say that we have the right to consume water, is the same as saying we have a right to clean air or, put another way, we have rights to live. For what at first glance it would seem pretty stupid to have to have a resolution to do so. However
seems to be very necessary, since at least 884 million people lack access to safe drinking water and more than 2,600 million people lack access to basic sanitation.
The right to water is not binding under international law, so that compliance is not required by law even to the signatories of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But this statement is an important symbolic and political influence on the UN and several countries where the water is treated as a commodity.
The declaration of water as a human right is undoubtedly an important step. But by itself will not make even one person, now can not access the required minimum quota for subsistence can do it tomorrow.
This declaration must be accompanied by a major change fund to achieve the objective sought. Some numbers
clarify the picture. To make one liter of soft drink like Coca Cola, are used between 175 and 200 liters of water, while approximately 300 liters of water which are needed to produce one liter of beer. A microchip needs 16,000 liters as 1 kg of beef. To produce one ton of copper are used 320,000 liters. The Alumbrera mine uses over 51 million liters of water per day.
mining companies, hydroelectric, automotive, textiles, petroleum, pulp mills, industrial agriculture and soft drinks like Coca-Cola, among many others, consume and / or contaminate billions of gallons of water per day. Most without controls, nor sorrow, nor consideration of their environmental impact.
Water use by companies is rampant, uncontrolled and dehumanized. Its scarcity is mainly due to that and the implementation of the measures necessary to facilitate its access is a debt that these companies and countries that have benefited and still do, they should pay. This does not say the UN resolution, says the reality of third world population that suffers every day of their lives.
Ricardo Natalichio
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