PUBLIC STATEMENT ON WATER AS A HUMAN RIGHT BY THE YOUTH WATER NETWORK (YWN)

As concerned young citizens of Europe, the members of the International Youth Water Network, we regret the absence of Water as a Human Right in the European constitution, considering that the recognition of this right in international law has been called for by international organisations and many legal and governmental bodies across the world.
We strongly urge the EU to take its responsibility to ensure that the right to water is adopted by the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. We are pleased that the European Parliament rejected the proposition for water liberalisation.

Recognising the right to water makes it clear that all governments of Europe have obligations to fulfil this right and, in following, that every citizen of Europe must be fully informed on his or her rights!

Motion for a resolution by the Committee on Water and Human Rights, submitted by the participants of SPLASH, the Third Youth European Congress for Water, 22-29 March 2003 (Geel-Belgium) and adopted unanimously by members of the European Parliament at the Youth Parliamentary Session in Brussels on the 28 th of March:

“Urges to ensure that the right to water is included in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.”

The Youth Water Network, together with several international institutions (e.g. Amnesty International, COHRE) is stressing the need of water as a human right, as a clear and fundamental principle in the constitution of Europe and thereby in all the constitutions of its member states and future member states.

Espalion, France 21 February 2004