WCC calls Governments for implementation of Water as Human Right

(February 24, 2011) The World Council of Churches Central Committee during their meeting held this week, issued a statement strongly welcoming the recognition of water and sanitation as a human right by the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council. In July 2010, the UN General Assembly had approved a resolution recognizing “the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights”. Three months later the Human Rights Council affirmed the same position. Following this development, the WCC Central Committee has urged its member churches to continue the advocacy work affirming the right to water as the right to life. At the national level, the Central Committee encouraged governments to continue their engagement but to take further steps in order “to incorporate the right to water and sanitation into national legislation and policies”. It challenged those governments by underlining “that access to water and sanitation are legally binding human rights” and urged political leaders to “apply the right to water as a guide, safeguard, and yardstick” for their legislative actions. On the international level, the statement calls “for the establishment of a mandate for a Special UN Representative on the right to water and sanitation at the UN Human Rights Council.” During the Central Committee meeting, Rev. Dr Ofelia Ortega said that “God of life, lead us to justice and peace” is chosen as the theme for the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches to be convened in October 2013 at Busan, South Korea.