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Human Right to Water: Selected Documents |
This page includes a first section listing international and regional documents related to the human right to water in chronological order and a second section listing constitutional provisions in alphabetical order. |
International documents |
- Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (1949).
Art. 20 - [.] The Detaining Power shall supply prisoners of war who are being evacuated with sufficient food and potable water, and with the necessary clothing and medical attention. The Detaining Power shall take all suitable precautions to ensure their safety during evacuation, and shall establish as soon as possible a list of the prisoners of war who are evacuated [.]
Art. 26 - [.] Sufficient drinking water shall be supplied to prisoners of war [.]
Art. 29 - The Detaining Power shall be bound to take all sanitary measures necessary to ensure the cleanliness and healthfulness of camps and to prevent epidemics [.]
Art. 46 - [.] The Detaining Power shall supply prisoners of war during transfer with sufficient food and drinking water to keep them in good health [.]
- Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (1949).
Art. 85 - [.] Internees shall have for their use, day and night, sanitary conveniences which conform to the rules of hygiene and are constantly maintained in a state of cleanliness. They shall be provided with sufficient water and soap for their daily personal toilet and for washing their personal laundry; installations and facilities necessary for this purpose shall be granted to them [.]
Art. 89 - [.]Sufficient drinking water shall be supplied to internees [.]
Art. 127 - [.]The Detaining Power shall supply internees during transfer with drinking water and food sufficient in quantity, quality and variety to maintain them in good health, and also with the necessary clothing, adequate shelter and the necessary medical attention [.]
- ILO Recommendation No. 115 on Workers' Housing (1961).
Suggestions concerning methods of application
[.]
7. The housing standards referred to in paragraph 19 of the General Principles should relate in particular to
[.]
(b) The supply of safe water in the workers' dwelling in such ample quantities as to provide for all personal and household uses;
(c) Adequate sewage and garbage disposal systems; [.]
8. Where housing and accommodation for single workers or workers separated from their families is collective, the competent authorities should establish housing standards providing, as a minimum, for:
[.]
(c) Adequate supply of safe water;
(d) Adequate drainage and sanitary conveniences; [.]
- Universal Declaration on the Eradication of Hunger and Malnutrition, adopted on 16 November 1974 by the World Food Conference convened under General Assembly resolution 3180 (XXVIII) of 17 December 1973; and endorsed by General Assembly resolution 3348 (XXIX) of 1 December 1974.
Art. 1 - Every man, woman and child has the inalienable right to be free from hunger and malnutrition in order to develop fully and maintain their physical and mental faculties [.]
- Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, adopted by the First United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, held at Geneva in 1955, and approved by the Economic and Social Council by its resolution 663 C (XXIV) of 31 July 1957 and 2076 (LXII) of 13 May 1977.
Art. 15 - Prisoners shall be required to keep their persons clean, and to this end they shall be provided with water and with such toilet articles as are necessary for health and cleanliness.
Art. 20.
[.]
(2) Drinking water shall be available to every prisoner whenever he needs it.
- Conference Statement from the United Nations Water Conference, Mar del Plata (1977).
". all peoples, whatever their stage of development and their social and economic conditions, have the right to have access to drinking water in quantities and of a quality equal to their basic needs."
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979).
Article 14 (2) - States parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in rural areas in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, that they participate in and benefit from rural development and, in particular shall ensure to women the right:
[.]
(h) To enjoy adequate living conditions, particularly in relation to housing, sanitation, electricity and water supply, transport and communications.
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women considered in para. 28 of its 1999 G eneral Recommendation No. 24 on article 12 of the Convention (Women and Health), that this article obliges States parties to take all appropriate measures to ensure adequate living conditions in relation to water and sanitation, which are critical for the prevention of diseases and the promotion of good health care.
- ILO Convention No. 161 on Occupational Health Services (1985).
Article 5 - Without prejudice to the responsibility of each employer for the health and safety of the workers in his employment, [.] occupational health services shall have such of the following functions:
[.]
(b) Surveillance of the factors in the working environment and working practice which may affect workers' health, including sanitary installations, [.]
- Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).
Article 24
1. States parties recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health .
2. States parties shall pursue full implementation of this right and, in particular, shall take appropriate measures:
(c) To combat disease and malnutrition, including within the framework of primary health care, through, inter alia, (.) the provision of adequate nutritious foods and clean drinking water (.)
The United Nation Committee on the Rights of the Child underlined in para. 27 of its 2006 G eneral Comment No. 7 on implementing child rights in early childhood, that under article 24 States have a responsibility to ensure access to clean drinking water and that such access is particularly essential for young children's health.
- United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty, adopted by General Assembly resolution 45/113 of 14 December 1990.
Article 34
Sanitary installations should be so located and of a sufficient standard to enable every juvenile to comply, as required, with their physical needs in privacy and in a clean and decent manner.
Article 37
Every detention facility shall ensure that every juvenile receives food that is suitably prepared [.] Clean drinking water should be available to every juvenile at any time.
- African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990).
Article 14
1. Every child shall have the right to enjoy the best attainable standard of physical, mental and spiritual health.
2. States parties to the present Charter shall undertake to pursue the full implementation of this right and in particular shall take measures:
[.]
(c) To ensure the provision of adequate nutrition and safe drinking water.
- United Nations Principles for Older Persons, adopted by General Assembly resolution 46/91 of 16 December 1991.
Independence
Art 1 - Older persons should have access to adequate food, water, shelter, clothing and health care through the provision of income, family and community support and self-help.
- Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development (1992).
Principle No. 4 - Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be recognized as an economic good. Within this principle, it is vital to recognize first the basic right of all human beings to have access to clean water and sanitation at an affordable price. Past failure to recognize the economic value of water has led to wasteful and environmentally damaging uses of the resource. Managing water as an economic good is an important way of achieving efficient and equitable use, and of encouraging conservation and protection of water resources.
- Agenda 21, Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro , UN Doc. A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1, 1992.
"In developing and using water resources, priority has to be given to the satisfaction of basic needs ." (chapter 18.8).
- Declaration of Amsterdam (Second International Water Tribunal) (1992).
Article 1 - All members of present and future generations have the fundamental right to a sustainable livelihood including the availability of water in sufficient quantity and quality.
- Programme of Action of the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (1994).
Principle 2 - Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. People are the most important and valuable resource of any nation. Countries should ensure that all individuals are given the opportunity to make the most of their potential. They have the right to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families, including adequate food, clothing, housing, water and sanitation.
- Action Programme from the Conference on Drinking Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation, E/CN.17/1994/12, Annex (1994).
It is considered the latest stage in the evolution of concepts since the United Nations Water Conference in 1977, the Global Consultation on Safe Water and Sanitation for the 1990s, held in New Delhi in 1990 and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992.
Para. 2.4 : "The long-term objective continues to be 'safe drinking water supply and sanitation for all'. Access to adequate water and sanitation is a basic need which has to be met. It needs to be accompanied by an obligation to use water efficiently and to dispose of wastes in an environmentally sound manner for the benefit of future generations. This is a precondition for substantial progress towards the common targets of health for all, poverty alleviation, environmental conservation and economic and human development. To achieve these goals, water and environmental sanitation programmes need to be tailored to the ability of the local environment to support them, to local socio-economic and cultural conditions and needs, and to the availability of resources. Differences in the needs, work and influence of, and benefits for, men and women need to be taken into account."
- The Habitat Agenda Goals and Principles, Commitments and the Global Plan of Action, Habitat II Conference, Committee on Economic, Social, Cultural Rights, Istambul (1996).
Preamble
11. More people than ever are living in absolute poverty and without adequate shelter. Inadequate shelter and homelessness are growing plights in many countries, threatening standards of health, security and even life itself. Everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families, including adequate food, clothing, housing, water and sanitation, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions.
27. Equitable human settlements are those in which all people, without discrimination of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, have equal access to housing, infrastructure, health services, adequate food and water, education and open spaces.
Chapter II
X. 36 - [.] Sustainable human settlements depend on the interactive development of policies and concrete actions to provide access to food and nutrition, safe drinking water, sanitation, and universal access to the widest range of primary health-care services [.]
Chapter IV
B. 60 - Adequate shelter means more than a roof over one's head. It also means [.] adequate basic infrastructure, such as water-supply, sanitation and waste-management facilities.
Actions
85 - To safeguard the health, safety, welfare and improved living environment of all people and to provide adequate and affordable basic infrastructure and services, Governments at the appropriate levels, including local authorities, should promote:
(a) The supply of and access to adequate quantities of safe drinking water;
(b) Adequate sanitation and environmentally sound waste management;
- Comprehensive Assessment of the Freshwater Resources of the World, UN Commission on Sustainable Development, E/CN.17/1997/9 (1997).
"All people require access to adequate amounts of clean water, for such basic needs as drinking, sanitation and hygiene." (Executive Summary, para. 25).
- UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, GA Res. 51/229, A/51/49 (1997).
Article 10.2 - "In the event of a conflict between uses of water in an international watercourse, it shall be resolved [.] with special regard being given to the requirements of vital human needs."
The states negotiating the Convention included in the Statement of Understanding accompanying it an explicit definition that in determining 'vital human needs', special attention is to be paid to providing sufficient water to sustain human life. (P. Gleick, "The Human Right to Water").
- Report of the 6th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (1998).
Decision 6/1. Strategic approaches to freshwater management
3. In this regard, the Commission reaffirms that water resources are essential for satisfying basic human needs, health and food production, energy, and the restoration and maintenance of ecosystems, and for social and economic development in general.
- Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, UN Doc. E/CN.4/1998/53/Add.2 (1998).
Principle 18
1. All internally displaced persons have the right to an adequate standard of living.
2. At the minimum, regardless of the circumstances, and without discrimination, competent authorities shall provide internally displaced persons with and ensure safe access to:
(a) Essential food and potable water;
(d) Essential medical services and sanitation.
3. Special efforts should be made to ensure the full participation of women in the planning and distribution of these basic supplies.
- Madeira Declaration on the Sustainable Management of Water, ECEL (1999).
Article 7 - No person may be deprived of the amount of water needed to meet his basic needs.
- Ministerial Declaration of The Hague on Water Security in the 21st Century (2000).
Art. 1 - Water is vital for the life and health of people and ecosystems and a basic requirement for the development of countries, but around the world women, men and children lack access to adequate and safe water to meet their most basic needs [.] [To] provide water security in the 21st Century [.] means ensuring that freshwater, coastal and related ecosystems are protected and improved; that sustainable development and political stability are promoted, that every person has access to enough safe water at an affordable cost to lead a healthy and productive life and that the vulnerable are protected from the risks of water-related hazards.
- Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003).
Article 15: Right to Food Security
States parties shall ensure that women have the right to nutritious and adequate food. In this regard, they shall take appropriate measures to:
Provide women with access to clean drinking water.
- The Right to Food, Report submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food in accordance with Commission on Human Rights resolution 2002/25, UN Doc. E/CN.4/2003/54, (2003).
35. The key element of water must also be a fundamental element of the right to food. It is impossible to discuss nutrition and food security without including safe drinking water. Safe drinking water is essential to adequate nutrition. Another element of the right to food must be water used for irrigation purposes, given that this is essential for food production and for ensuring food availability, particularly in countries where the poor depend primarily on their own production.
- General Assembly Resolution on the Right to food, A/C.3/59/L.64/Rev.1 (2004).
6. Requests all States and private actors, as well as international organizations within their respective mandates, to take fully into account the need to promote the effective realization of the right to food for all, including in the ongoing negotiations in different fields;
7. Encourages all States to take action to address discrimination against women, particularly where it contributes to the malnutrition of women and girls, including measures to ensure the realization of the right to food and ensuring that women have equal access to resources, including income, land and water, to enable them to feed themselves;
18. Takes note of general comment No. 15 (2002) of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on the right to water (articles 11 and 12 of the Covenant), in which the Committee noted, inter alia, the importance of ensuring sustainable water resources for human consumption and agriculture in realization of the right to adequate food
- Voluntary Guidelines to support the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national security, FAO, adopted by the 127th Session of the FAO Council (November 2004).
Art. 3.6 - In their poverty reduction strategies, States should also give priority to providing basic services for the poorest, and investing in human resources by ensuring access to [.] clean drinking water, adequate sanitation [.]
Art. 8.1 - States should facilitate sustainable, non-discriminatory and secure access and utilization of resources consistent with their national law and with international law and protect the assets that are important for people's livelihoods. States should respect and protect the rights of individuals with respect to resources such as land, water, [.]
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006).
Article 28 - Adequate standard of living and social protection
2. States parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to social protection and to the enjoyment of that right without discrimination on the basis of disability, and shall take appropriate steps to safeguard and promote the realization of this right, including measures:
(a) To ensure equal access by persons with disabilities to clean water services, and to ensure access to appropriate and affordable services, devices and other assistance for disability-related needs.
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Constitutional provisions |
Colombia
(Constitution, 1991)
-
Article 334 -
El Estado, de manera especial, intervendrá para asegurar que todas las personas, en particular las de menores ingresos, tengan acceso efectivo a los bienes y servicios básicos.
-
Article 366 -
Será objetivo fundamental de su actividad la solución de las necesidades insatisfechas de ... saneamiento ambiental y de agua potable.
Unofficial Translations:
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Article 334 -
The State will, in particular, intervene in order to assure that all persons, principally those of lower revenues, have an effective access to basic goods and services.
- Article 366 -
The palliation of unsatisfied needs in sanitation and drinking water will be one of the fundamental aims [of the State].
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Congo
(Democratic Republic) (Project of Constitution, 2007)
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Ecuador (Constitution, 1998)
-
Article 23 -
El Estado reconocerá y garantizará a las personas los siguientes: [.] El derecho a una calidad de vida que asegure la salud, alimentación y nutrición, agua potable, saneamiento ambiental, educación, ...
Unofficial Translations:
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Article 23 -
The State will recognize and grant to all personas the following: [.] The right to a quality of life that assures health, alimentation and nutrition, potable water, sanitation, education, ...
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Ethiopia (Constitution, 1994)
-
Article 90.1 -
To the extent the country's resources permit, policies shall aim to provide all Ethiopians with access to public health and education, clean water, housing, food and social security.
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Gambia (Constitution, 1996)
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Guatemala (Constitution, 1985)
-
Articulo 127 -
Régimen de aguas. Todas las aguas son bienes de dominio público, inalienables e imprescriptibles. Su aprovechamiento, uso y goce, se otorgan en la forma establecida por la ley, de acuerdo con el interés social. Una ley específica regulará esta materia.
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Articulo 128 -
Aprovechamiento de aguas, lagos y ríos. El aprovechamiento de las aguas de los lagos y de los ríos, para fines agrícolas, agropecuarios, turísticos o de cualquier otra naturaleza, que contribuya al desarrollo de la economía nacional, está a los servicios de la comunidad y no de persona particular alguna, pero los usuarios están obligados a reforestar las riberas y los cauces correspondientes, así como a facilitar las vías de acceso.
Unofficial Translations:
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Article 127 -
Water regime. All water resources belong to the public domain of the state, are inalienable and inprescriptible. Their exploitation, use and enjoyment, are granted in the form established by law, in accordance with the social interest. A specific law will regulate this matter.
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Article 128 -
Exploitation of waters, lakes and rivers. The exploitation of waters of lakes and rivers, for agricultural, farming, tourism or purposes of any other nature, that may contribute to the development of the nation's economy, is open to the community and not to any specific particular person, but users are forced to reforest the corresponding shores and channels, as well as to facilitate access paths.
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Iran (Constitution, as amended in 1989)
-
Article 3 [State Goals] - In order to attain the objectives specified in Article 2, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has the duty of directing all its resources to the following goals:
[.]
12) the planning of a correct and just economic system, in accordance with Islamic criteria, in order to create welfare, eliminate poverty, and abolish all forms of deprivation with respect to food, housing, work, health care, and the provision of social insurance for all;
-
Article 43 [Principles] - The economy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its objectives of achieving the economic independence of the society, uprooting poverty and deprivation, and fulfilling human needs in the process of development while preserving human liberty, is based on the following criteria:
1. the provision of basic necessities for all citizens: housing, food, clothing, hygiene, medical treatment, education, and the necessary facilities for the establishment of a family;
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Kenya (Draft Constitution, 2005)
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Nigeria
(1999 Constitution)
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Article 17(2) -
In furtherance of the social order
[.]
(b) the sanctity of the human person shall be recognised and human dignity shall be maintained and enhanced;
[.]
(d) exploitation of human or natural resources in any form whatsoever for reasons, other than the good of the community, shall be prevented; and
- Article 17(3) -
The
State shall direct its policy towards ensuring
that-
(a) all citizens, without discrimination on any group whatsoever, have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood [.]
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Panama
(Constitution, 1999)
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Articulo 106 - En materia de salud, corresponde primordialmente al Estado el desarrollo de las siguientes actividades :... Combatir las enfermedades transmisibles mediante el saneamiento ambiental, el desarrollo de la disponibilidad de agua potable
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Articulo 114 -
Es deber fundamental del Estado garantizar que la población viva en un ambiente sano y libre de contaminación, en donde el aire, el agua y los alimentos satisfagan los requerimientos del desarrollo adecuado de la vida humana.
- Articulo 256 -
Las concesiones para la explotación del suelo, del subsuelo, de los bosques y para la utilización de agua, de medios de comunicación o transporte y de otras empresas de servicio público, se inspirarán en el bienestar social y el interés público.
Unofficial Translations:
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Article 106 - In the health sector, it primordially is the responsibility of the state to: . eradicate transmissible diseases through assuring a healthy environment and improving access to potable water
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Article 114 -
It is a fundamental duty of the State to guarantee that the population live in a healthy environment free of pollution, where the air, water and food satisfy the requirements of human life.
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Article 256 -
Concessions for the exploitation of the ground, the subsoil, the forests and for the use of water, communication and transport networks, and other public services companies, will be granted inspired by the social welfare and the public interest.
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Philippines
(Constitution, 1987)
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South Africa
(Constitution, 1996)
-
Section 27 -
Everyone has the right to have access to
1. health care services, including reproductive health care;
2. sufficient food and water; and
3. social security, including, if they are unable to support themselves and their dependents, appropriate social assistance.
The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of each of these rights.
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Spain
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Autonomy Statute of the Community of Valencia (2006)
Articulo 17 - Se garantiza el derecho de los valencianos y valencianas a disponer del abastecimiento suficiente de agua de calidad. Igualmente, se reconoce el derecho de redistribución de los sobrantes de aguas de cuencas excedentarias atendiendo a criterios de sostenibilidad de acuerdo con la Constitución y la legislación estatal. Los ciudadanos y ciudadanas valencianos tienen derecho a gozar de una cantidad de agua de calidad, suficiente y segura, para atender a sus necesidades de consumo humano y para poder desarrollar sus actividades económicas y sociales de acuerdo con la Ley.
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Autonomy Statute of the Community of Aragon (2006 Project)
Articulo 19 - Los aragoneses tienen derecho a disponer del abastecimiento de agua en condiciones de cantidad y calidad suficientes para atender sus necesidades presentes y futuras, tanto para el consumo humano como para el desarrollo de actividades sociales y económicas que permitan la vertebración y el reequilibrio territorial sostenible de Aragón.
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Autonomy Statute of the Community of Catalunya (2006)
Articulo 27 - Totes les persones tenen dret a gaudir dels recursos naturals en condicions d'igualtat, i tenen el deure de fer-ne un ús responsable i evitar-ne el malbaratament.
(Toutes les personnes ont le droit de jouir des ressources naturelles dans des conditions d'égalité et elles ont le devoir d'en faire un usage responsable et d'éviter leur gaspillage).
Articulo 30.1 - Totes les persones tenen dret a accedir en condicions d'igualtat als serveis públics i als serveis econòmics d'interès general. Les administracions públiques
han de fixar les condicions d'accés i els estàndards de qualitat d'aquests serveis, amb independència del règim de llur prestació.
(Toutes les personnes ont droit à l'accès dans des conditions d'égalité aux services publics et aux services économiques d'intérêt général. Les administrations publiques doivent fixer les conditions d'accès et les normes de qualité de ces services indépendamment du régime juridique de leur prestation).
Articulo 42.1 - Els poders públics han de promoure polítiques públiques que fomentin la cohesió social i que garanteixin un sistema de serveis socials, de titularitat pública i concertada, adequat als indicadors econòmics i socials de Catalunya.
Unofficial Translation:
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Autonomy Statute of the Community of Valencia (2006)
Articulo 17 - The provision of sufficient water of quality is granted to the people of Valencia. The right to redistribute the excess of water from other basins is recognized as well, provided sustainability criteria are observed in execution of the constitution and state legislation. The people of Valencia have the right to have a quantity of water of quality, sufficient and safe, in order to satisfy personal consumption needs and in order to perform their economic and social activities in observance of the law.
- Autonomy Statute of the Community of Aragon (2006 Project)
Articulo 19 - The people of Aragon have the right to the provision of water in sufficient quantity and quality to satisfy their present and future needs for human consumption and for social and economic activities that allow for the ordainment and sustainable territorial balance of Aragon.
- Autonomy Statute of the Community of Catalunya (2006)
Articulo 27 - All persons have the right to enjoy natural resources in equal conditions, and have the right to make a responsible use of them that avoids their wastage.
Articulo 30.1 - All persons have the right to have access in equal conditions to public services and to economic services of general interest. The government must fix the conditions for access and the quality standards of said services, independently of the juridical regime of their operation.
Articulo 42.1 - The government must promote public policies that encourage social cohesion and that assure a system of social services in public hands that are adequate to the economic and social indicators of Catalunya.
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Uganda
(Constitution, 1995)
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Preamble -
The State shall protect important natural resources, including land, water, wetlands, minerals, oil, fauna and flora on behalf of the people of Uganda.
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Article 14 -
The State shall endeavour to fulfil the fundamental rights of all Ugandans to social justice and economic development and shall, in particular, ensure that.
(2) all Ugandans enjoy rights and opportunities and access to education, health services, clean and safe water, decent shelter, adequate clothing, food, security and pension and retirements benefits.
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Uruguay
(2004 modification to the constitution, approved by referendum)
- ARTÍCULO 47. Agréguese: El agua es un recurso natural esencial para la vida. El acceso al agua potable y el acceso al saneamiento, constituyen derechos humanos fundamentales.
1) La política nacional de Aguas y Saneamiento estará basada en:
a) el ordenamiento del territorio, conservación y protección del Medio Ambiente y la restauración de la naturaleza.
b) la gestión sustentable, solidaria con las generaciones futuras, de los recursos hídricos y la preservación del ciclo hidrológico que constituyen asuntos de interés general. Los usuarios y la sociedad civil, participarán en todas las instancias de planificación, gestión y control de recursos hídricos; estableciéndose las cuencas hidrográficas como unidades básicas.
c) el establecimiento de prioridades para el uso del agua por regiones, cuencas o partes de ellas, siendo la primera prioridad el abastecimiento de agua potable a poblaciones.
d) el principio por el cual la prestación del servicio de agua potable y saneamiento, deberá hacerse anteponiéndose las razones de orden social a las de orden económico. Toda autorización, concesión o permiso que de cualquier manera vulnere estos principios deberá ser dejada sin efecto.
2) Las aguas superficiales, así como las subterráneas, con excepción de las pluviales, integradas en el ciclo hidrológico, constituyen un recurso unitario, subordinado al interés general, que forma parte del dominio público estatal, como dominio público hidráulico.
3) El servicio público de saneamiento y el servicio público de abastecimiento de agua para el consumo humano serán prestados exclusiva y directamente por personas jurídicas estatales. 4) La ley, por los tres quintos de votos del total de componentes de cada Cámara, podrá autorizar el suministro de agua, a otro país, cuando éste se encuentre desabastecido y por motivos de solidaridad.
Unofficial translation:
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Article 47 - Water is a natural resource essential to life. Access to drinking water and access to saniation, constitute fundamental human rights.
1) The national policy of Waters and Sanitation will be based on:
a) The arranging of the territory, conservation and protection of the environment and restoration of nature.
b) The sustainable management, solidarity with future generations, of water resources and preservation of the hydrologic cycle that constitute matters of general interest. Users and civil society, will take part in all instances of planning, management and control of water resources; establishing the hydrographic basins as basic units.
c) The establishment of priorities for the use of water by regions, basins, or parts of them, being the first priority the supplying of drinkable water to populations.
d) The principle by which the providing of the service of drinkable water and sewerage, will have to be done placing reasons of social order before those of economic order.
Any authorization, concession or permission that goes in any way against these principles will have to be stopped with no consequences.
2) Surface water, as well as groundwater, with the exception of rain, integrated in the hydrologic cycle, constitute a unitary resource, subordinated to the general interest, which is part of the state 's public domain, as hydraulic public domain.
3) The public service of sanitation and the public service of water supplying for human consumption, will be served exclusively and directly by state legal persons.
4) The law, by a three-fifth majority of the total of components of each Chamber, will be able to authorize supplying water to another country, when it is deprived of supplies and for reasons of solidarity.
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Venezuela
(Constitution, 1999)
- Articulo 82 -
Toda persona tiene derecho a una vivienda adecuada, segura, cómoda, higiénicas, con servicios básicos esenciales que incluyan un hábitat que humanice las relaciones familiares, vecinales y comunitarias. La satisfacción progresiva de este derecho es obligación compartida entre los ciudadanos y el Estado en todos sus ámbitos.
Unofficial Translation :
Article 82 - Every person has the right to an adequate house that is safe, comfortable, hygienic, and comes with essential basic services, providing an environment that humanizes the relationships within the family, the neighbourhood and the community. The progressive realization of this right is a shared responsibility of citizens and of the state at every level.
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Zambia
(Constitution, as amended in 1996)
- Article 112 -
The State shall endeavour to provide clean and safe water.
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