The UN General Assembly on Wednesday defended the water and sanitation as a universal right in a resolution, although more than 40 countries abstained, saying that such a right exists in international law. Some
884 million people lack access to clean water, more than 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation and some 1.5 million children under 5 die each year from diseases related to these issues , said the sponsors of the resolution.
The nonbinding measure, presented to the Assembly in Bolivia, said that the right to safe, clean drinking water and sanitation is "an essential human right to full enjoyment of life and all human rights ".
in a clause that seems to place the responsibility to rectify the situation in rich countries, calls on states and international organizations to" increase efforts "to provide drinking water and sanitation for all.
The resolution was adopted by 122 votes in favor, none against and 41 abstentions. Those who abstained were mainly developed countries, although Spain and Germany voted for the measure.
The countries that abstained noted that an independent expert, the Portuguese lawyer Catarina de Albuquerque, due on next year a report to the UN Human Rights based in Geneva, on the obligations of the countries on water and sanitation.
accused advocates of the resolution to try to subtract the validity of their conclusions. U.S. delegate John Sammis said the resolution "is very far to enjoy the unanimous support of member states and could even undermine the work underway in Geneva."
The slender British
Nicola Freedman said London "does not believe that there is currently sufficient legal basis in international law to declare or recognize the water and sanitation as a human right."
However, the rights group Food & Water Watch, based in Washington, endorsed what he called a historic resolution.
Source: AméricaEconomÃa
